Vancouver: Gangs using Armour Plated SUVs

Gangs using tank-like SUVs

Armoured vehicles a risk to others on the road, police say

Gerry Bellett, Vancouver Sun

Published: Thursday, December 20, 2007

VANCOUVER - Lower Mainland gangsters are taking to wearing bulletproof vests and driving armoured SUVs described by police as "rolling tanks."

Police have seized two armoured vehicles - a Cadillac Escalade and a GMC Suburban - that had been altered to protect driver and passengers from gunfire.

Vancouver police Insp. Dean Robinson, who is in charge of the Uniform Gang Task Force, said there likely will be more similarly modified vehicles on the streets.

"I don't think we've come across the only two there are," said Robinson, speaking to reporters today.

He was giving an overview of the task force's activities since it was initiated in November following a month of gangland mayhem in the Lower Mainland that resulted in 10 people being shot to death.

The unit uses uniformed officers in various Lower Mainland police forces to keep track of gang members who are seen in public or visiting nightclubs, restaurants and casinos.

Sgt. Shinder Kirk, of the Integrated Gang Task Force, said police were under no illusions that the potential for gang violence had been eliminated but said the special unit was suppressing street violence.

Since the unit took to the streets on Nov. 14 they have checked 2,623 persons, which resulted in:

- 368 reports written, either for criminal charges or to add to intelligence reports on gang activities.

- 74 tickets for various infractions.

- 16 outstanding warrants.

- 23 criminal charges.

- Seven firearms seized.

- Several sets of body armour confiscated.

- Two armoured vehicles seized.

In November, CN rail police and Surrey RCMP stopped a Cadillac Escalade at 160th and Highway 1 containing two known gang members, said Robinson.

They found the vehicle had been armoured and fitted with bulletproof windows.

The vehicle was also outfitted with a secondary rear gate that Robinson said "had ballistic integrity."

It was seized but then returned to the owner, although Robinson said ICBC is refusing to insure it because it didn't meet safety standards.

On Dec. 9, a GMC Suburban attempted to evade police but was stopped on East Georgia, where a passenger was seen throwing a handgun out of the vehicle.

It contained two known gang members, said Robinson, and in addition to being armoured, it was equipped with strobe lights and a siren similar to those found on police vehicles. It also had a miniature camera fixed near the rear licence plate and linked to a small viewing screen on the driver's console.

This vehicle is still being held by police as it had no VIN identification, said Robinson.

He said such vehicles were a danger to other road users.

"Typically they are so heavy they haven't got the braking power needed to stop them. If they collide with a regular vehicle on the road it's no contest. If they were involved in an accident, emergency personnel wouldn't be able to smash in the windows to help anyone inside," he said.

Robinson also said it was obvious why gangsters want to wear body armour and drive armoured vehicles: "Theirs is a dangerous lifestyle and they are rolling around in armoured vehicles for self-protection.

"We don't like the fact they are armed, we don't like the fact they are violent and we don't like the fact they are using armoured vehicles. This only emboldens them and makes them feel invulnerable.

"I don't like them feeling that way, which is why I'm really pleased when any police agency can take one of these things off the road."

Robinson said his unit was designed to suppress gang violence on the streets, and added that it seems to be working, as gang members are now leery about being seen in public.

Bar owners and staff in Vancouver's entertainment district feel safer since the unit was formed, he said.

"The public feels safer, too, knowing we are there."

gbellett@png.canwest.com