Saskatoon police launch Drop Gangs Program

Gang violence continues to increase at an alarming rate in Saskatoon.

The Saskatoon Police Service is launching the Drop Gangs Program to help raise awareness about outlaw motorcycle and street gangs in the community.

The program includes an informational website and a custom vehicle that will be used as a rolling billboard at different events and locations in Saskatoon.

(Saskatoon Police Service/Submitted)

Supt. Patrick Nogier is part of the new program and explained why this came to fruition.

“This program, in my opinion, is a proactive approach at trying to increase community safety and well-being while bringing awareness to detrimental aspects within our community,” Nogier said.

Sgt. Dave Larocque said the project has been in the works for several months and hopes to make major changes in the Bridge City.

“The reason that we decided on this program (is) there’s an increase of gang activity in this city,” Larocque said.

“This program (will) provide a conduit for street gang members who wish to get out of the gang lifestyle to access community services that will assist them in doing so.”

Larocque said the vehicle will play a role at certain events that may involve crime.

“You’ll see this vehicle at warrant executions that involve anything to do with organized crime or street gangs and strategic events that are organized and sponsored by organized crime,” he said.

Aside from being right in the action, the vehicle will be seen at some parades, events and in the community.

A strong focus on the youth community to steer them away from a path of crime is something the program also plans to initiate.

Larocque explained how police are working to accomplish that.

“We want to do presentations to youth (who are) maybe thinking about getting involved in gangs and try to deter them from such a thing,” he said.

A similar program has already been put into action and has led to tremendous success, according to Larocque.

“This program is modelled after the End Gang Life program that’s run by a combined special forces unit out in British Columbia,” he said. “Their program has been in operation for approximately 10 years and they are doing a phenomenal job out there.”