Gangs in Canada

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Gangs in Canada are present in several of Canada's major cities, and also in some smaller centres. Many gangs cut across cities, including ethnic gangs that recuit among a certain group. For instance, all major cities in the Prairie provinces have native gangs linked to First Nations communities^[1]

1 Types
2 By city
3 References
4 See also

[edit] Types

See also: List of criminal organizations

The John Howard Society's 2001 report identified the following types of gangs present in Alberta:^[2]

Asian gangs (Triads, etc.)
Aboriginal gangs (Indian Posse, etc.)
Jamaican gangs in Toronto, Montreal,Halifax, Edmonton Shower Posse
African Canadian gangs in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, Edmonton
Haitian gangs in Montreal and Ottawa
Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs
Traditional gangs (Montreal mafia, West End Gang, etc.)
Racist and Hate Groups
Eastern European organized crime (Russian mafia, etc.)

In general, gangs in Canada are smaller and more diverse than in the United States, insideprisons.com lists 108 street gangs for the Prairie region alone.^[3]

[edit] By city

[edit] Edmonton

Crazy Dragons have surpassed Hells Angels as the top gang in Alberta. The Crazy Dragons are primarily Asian based with many white members as well. They originate out of Edmonton but have cells throughout Alberta. Crazy Dragons have been linked to supplying Calgary's Asian gangs with guns.^[4]

[edit] Montreal

The Hells Angels, a motorcycle club based in Montreal has numerous members arrested with quantities of drugs, firearms and homicide charges. The Angels fought a war with the Rock Machine and the Bandidos.^{[citation needed]} There are also more traditional mafia type gangs operating in Montreal such as the West End Gang which has a history dating back well over a century. The traditional Italian mafia has also long had a presence in Montreal, a recent example being Vito Rizzuto.

[edit] Saskatchewan

Adult gangs in Saskatchewan include the Native Syndicate, Indian Posse, Redd Alert, Saskatchewan Warriors, Crazy Cree, Mixed Blood, Tribal Brotherz, and West Side Soldiers^[5]^[6]in Regina and Saskatoon. There is also a branch of the Hell's Angels in the province. Youth gangs include Crips, Junior Mixed Blood, Indian Mafia Crips, and North Central Rough Riderz. ^[5] Saskatchewan had the highest concentration of gang membership at 1.34 per 1000 in 2002 ^[5]

[edit] Toronto

There has been a recent surge in gun violence in the greater Toronto area, with a sharp increase in 2004.^{[citation needed]} The most notable incident was the Boxing Day shooting, resulting in the death of 15-year-old bystander Jane Creba on December 26, 2005 on Yonge Street. The incident was a shootout between rival gangs.

[edit] Vancouver

In Vancouver, the most powerful and feared gang is The United Nations Gang which is a puppet gang of the triads. There is also the Hells Angels as well as Chinese Triad mafias and eastern European mafias established in the lower mainland. There is a strong demand for drugs in the greater Vancouver area, with micro gangs supplying products. The United Nations Gang and Big Circle gang are believed to be at war.^{[citation needed]} Among increased gang activity in Vancouver, the Independent Soldiers have gained prominence among the streets, the gang is mostly headed by East Indian Gangsters^[7]

[edit] Winnipeg

There is a notable gang called the Mad Kowz that recruits from African nationalities. There are multiple aboriginal gangs, such as the Indian Posse, Deuce and Native Syndicate as well as smaller street sets in various neighbourhoods. A mostly white gang known as the Zig Zags operates in cooperation with the Hells Angels, mostly in the Fort Rouge, Fort Garry and Central neighbourhoods and are responsible for a great deal of drug- and violence-related crimes in the city.^{[citation needed]} 1-percenter motorcycle gangs are known to operate in the city, for example the Hells Angels and Los Bravos, and the Bandidos.