Hells Angels Toronto procession a gift to police intelligence: crime expert

Toronto Star organized crime reporter Peter Edwards says Thursday’s Hells Angels procession in Toronto was a “show of strength” that ironically could end up weakening them by arming police with “all sorts of intelligence.”

“They (police) will be going over pictures for the next couple of weeks of who is who. The term is ‘who is who in the zoo,'” explained Edwards, who has penned numerous books on organized crime.

“It’s a great day for police intelligence officers.”

Thursday’s procession started in Newmarket and ended at a Hells Angels property at 98 Carlaw Avenue in Toronto’s Leslieville neighbourhood. Hundreds of members took part, and police could at times be seen capturing footage with cameras and camcorders.

The ride was in honour of recently deceased and highly-respected member Donny Petersen. (pictured below)

“It’s sort of a bonding thing for them,” Edwards said of the highly-publicized get-together. “It also sends a message to other outlaw clubs like The Outlaws that they are bigger and they are tougher.

“It’s a great day for police intelligence officers.”

Edwards says it’s not uncommon for both fear and adulation of the bikers to be exaggerated by the public.

“You’d be foolish to touch the bikes or touch the patch or cut them off, but if you just stand and watch, there’s nothing to worry about. They won’t be firing guns and kidnapping people.”

And while others may look up to the group, glossing over their criminal endeavours and painting them as free-spirited motorcycle enthusiasts, Edwards says that’s a thin veil.

“They put a 1% patch on their vest to say they are the 1% of bikers that live outside the law. I mean, they are announcing it.”