Be aware, the Hells Angels are roaring into Whitby: Durham police
Posted July 18, 2022 8:23 pm.
Last Updated July 18, 2022 9:08 pm.
Durham regional police held a news conference on Monday to alert the public that the notorious Hells Angels motorcycle gang will be roaring into Whitby on Friday.
Detective Inspector Scott Wade said while residents shouldn’t exactly cower in fear, they shouldn’t be “naïve” either considering the gang’s well-documented propensity for trouble.
“We know that most motorcycle enthusiasts and clubs simply use motorcycles for recreation and are law-abiding citizens, the Hells Angels do not fall into that group,” he said.
Police say as many as 1,000 Hells Angels members are expected to touch down in the Whitby community of Brooklin for their Canada Run event.
“We will have an enhanced visible presence in Brooklin as well as other areas within the region,” noted Deputy Chief, Dean Bertrim.
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Police say similar rides in the past have resulted primarily in relatively innocuous Highway Traffic Act violations.
But with the gang’s fearsome reputation, police aren’t letting down their guard.
“I don’t think any of us should be naïve that there is always potential for criminal incidents to occur,” he said.
“Not saying (to the public) stay away (but) we are making them aware of this event… they are a criminal organization. They are an outlaw motorcycle gang.”
Police will shut down Highway 12 north of Columbus Road for the entire weekend and other area roads will be open to local traffic only.
Durham police also say they’ll be leaning on assistance from neighbouring police services to help monitor the event which is expected to last throughout the weekend.
