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Outlaw biker gangs remain threat to our communities: OPP

Police are taking to social media to remind us not to fall for the 'glamorized' image of the gangster lifestyle popularized by television series
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NEWS RELEASE
OPP
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Police and public safety partners are taking to social media to remind Canadians that outlaw motorcycle gangs remain a criminal threat to our communities.

While the vast majority of motorcycle riders are law-abiding citizens, extensive criminal networks within the outlaw biker community continue to profit from illicit activities like drug trafficking, fraud, counterfeiting, money laundering, contraband smuggling, extortion, violence and illegal gaming.

Outlaw motorcycle clubs often take part in legitimate charitable events and other public relations efforts to portray themselves as good-natured free spirits. Popular television shows in recent years have unfortunately glamorized the gangster lifestyle and likely helped organized crime groups attract recruits and supporters.

Under the auspices of CIROC (the Canadian Integrated Response to Organized Crime), participating agencies will feature anti-gang messages across a variety of social media platforms and point to sources of more information online. We encourage social media followers to share the messages and information to help educate the public about outlaw motorcycle gangs and raise awareness of their negative impacts.

About CIROC:

CIROC coordinates a national effort to disrupt organized crime through information sharing between law enforcement agencies.

Its partners include:

  • Municipal and provincial police agencies
  • Royal Canadian Mounted Police
  • Criminal Intelligence Service Canada
  • Canadian Border Services Agency
  • Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada
  • Other federal government departments

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