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CISC National Monitored Issues

Street Gangs

“Street gang” is a term that law enforcement traditionally used to categorize crime groups that consisted predominantly of young males from similar ethnic backgrounds that were usually engaged in a low level of criminality, often based within a specific geographical area. In many instances, this profile continues to have some validity; however, increasingly there are street gangs that have evolved and now operate beyond their initial communities. Some have developed higher levels of organizational and criminal sophistication, engaging in criminality that may equal or even surpass the levels of more established organized crime groups. This developing sophistication is aided by an increasingly older membership within some street gangs, many of whom are often in their twenties and thirties. As well, there is a greater fluidity and diversity within some street gangs with their membership increasingly including individuals from various ethnic backgrounds.

Street gangs typically begin, and in some instances remain, at a low level of criminality with involvement in crimes such as assaults and break-and-enters that are usually restricted to specific geographical areas. As street gangs evolve, they increasingly become involved in additional criminal activities, such as extortion, prostitution, drug trafficking and credit card fraud, that have varying levels of sophistication and magnitude. Many street gangs are linked to more established organized crime groups through either independent criminal associations or more closely in a criminal support function. However, as some street gangs continue to expand the scope and magnitude of their criminal activities there is an increased potential for competition with these established organized crime groups. This situation could be conducive to inter-crime group conflict that could further affect public safety. In addition, some street gangs are already in positions of strength that could enable them to take advantage of any law enforcement disruption of the established crime groups, such as OMGs, and expand into the resulting void within a criminal marketplace.

A defining characteristic of most street gangs, whether low level or more sophisticated, is a high propensity for violence. Intimidation, assaults or homicides are an integral component of their gang and personal interactions. This violence can be directly related to their illicit activities and turf protection but in some instances are random, spontaneous responses to perceived slurs against individuals or the gang. The violence between members of different street gangs often becomes part of a retaliatory cycle. This violence is a serious threat to public safety that can result in injuries to non-gang individuals and a general sense of insecurity in communities. In some instances, sporadic public displays of gang violence are deliberate attempts to intimidate communities and individuals to coerce compliance and/or silence. Illegal firearms, particularly handguns, are increasingly involved in gang-related violence.

Street gangs exist and are criminally active across Canada and are considered significant enforcement threats in all regions except the Atlantic provinces. Historically, street gangs have been predominantly active in major urban centres, particularly Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. However, they are increasingly expanding into smaller urban areas.

In the western provinces, Aboriginal-based gangs constitute the bulk of street gang activity and are particularly criminally active in Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon and Winnipeg. Some of these Aboriginal-based street gangs have also been observed in more rural areas as well as on Aboriginal reserves. Their primary criminal activity is street-level drug trafficking with drugs obtained from other crime groups, such as Asian-based networks or the HELLS ANGELS. The often intense rivalries between various Aboriginal-based street gangs can occasionally erupt into violence.

There are numerous street gangs in Ontario that were initially formed from singular ethnic groups but are now increasingly multi-ethnic. In some instances, street gangs conduct criminal activities for other organized crime groups and serve to shield them from law enforcement. While the majority of street gangs are independent groups involved in their own criminal activities, there may be some criminal linkages with other street gangs or established crime groups. They are situated in most urban centres with the greater Toronto area having the largest concentration of gangs. In this area, the gangs have been involved in violent rivalries with numerous assaults and homicides.

In Quebec, the main street gangs are Caribbean-based though other ethnic-based groups are increasingly emerging. Two major Quebec-based street gangs have expanded and now are criminally active in parts of Ontario. These street gangs are in a position to exploit weaknesses within the established crime groups in the province, such as the HELLS ANGELS.

Law enforcement across Canada is cognizant of the overall threat of street gangs to public safety through their criminal activities and propensity for violence. Through dedicated units and targeted enforcement operations, law enforcement will continue to combat street gang crime and violence to enhance public safety.
 

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