THUNDER BAY - Police are continuing to monitor increasing gang activity on city streets, while also warning those most likely to become victims that the level and type of violence is also increasing.
According to Thunder Bay Police Staff Sgt. Ryan Gibson, there has been an increase in the last two years in the number of gangs from Southern and Eastern Ontario operating in Thunder Bay.
“Thunder Bay is not an island,” Gibson said. “This is something throughout the country and province. It’s about making money and there is a lot of money to be made here and tie-ins to First Nation Communities up north.”
Money is made through drugs and trafficking, and as the gang activity increases, so does the amount of drugs on city streets and the violence that comes with it.
“Obviously that is concerning,” Gibson said. “And on top of that we are also concerned with what we are finding in the drugs. They are being presented as something they are not, particularly in relation to fentanyl.”
“It’s about making as much money as they can,” he continued. “The tragedy that unfolds for that person or their family, that’s not their issue. For us it’s a huge concern. It’s a public safety concern.”
Often it is the most vulnerable people who become the victims of gang related activity, such as people living on the streets or battling substance abuse issues.
“With these individuals, they are going to target marginalized groups, people who suffer from substance abuse issues and that can affect anybody,” Gibson said. “They are equal opportunity providers. It’s strictly about making as much money as they can, easily, and it’s on the backs of the suffering of others.”
With marginalized people the easiest victims for gangs, it can be difficult for police to intervene or provide help, because often there are incidents that go unreported out of fear.
“If you are a marginalized person and you are in that lifestyle and these people who are involved in that type of crime assault you, kidnap you, torture you, you are not going to be inclined to get in touch with the police because you are terrified,” Gibson said.
And unfortunately, many of these people may become victims of violent crime, which Gibson said also appears to be increasing.
“What concerns me is the level of violence and the types of behavior they will be involved in,” he said. “It is over the top in certain cases. These people have no problem in engaging in extreme acts of violence against whomever.”
But Gibson encourages those who may be victims or become victims to come forward. He recognizes that the issue will not be solved overnight and probably never go away, but police will continue to work to disrupt the activity as best they can and help those most in need.
“Are you ever going to eliminate crime, no, but you can disrupt the activity,” he said. “You try and disrupt those activities as much as possible and you do the best you can.”
