Many Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) members were bused to the Brooklin Chapter location during their Canada Run, according to Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS).
Approximately 600 HAMC and other associated clubs attended this end-July event and community members utilized HAMC tip line throughout the weekend, it said.
Only 179 vehicles passed the checkpoints, out of which 42 charges were laid under the Total Highway Traffic Act (HTA), said DRPS while releasing stats on the event held over the July 22-24 weekend.
Despite less individual motorcycles accessing the checkpoint during the weekend, officers laid numerous highway traffic offences and towed several motorcycles that were found to be unsafe for the road. Overall, there was approximately 40 per cent charge rate on the vehicles processed at the checkpoint.
Total number of vehicles processed through the checkpoints – 179
Total Highway Traffic Act (HTA) charges – 42 (30 Provincial Offence Notices and 12 Part III Summons)
Licence Plates Seized – 4
Helmets Seized – 5
Towed Vehicles/Placed Out of Service – 4
DRPS said its collective police presence saw more club members bused to and from the Brooklin Chapter location and no formal large motorcycle run through the region.
“While some have publicly questioned the need for a strong police presence for this event, it should be stressed that minimal impact on the community was by design not by accident. We also remind the community that the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is an organized crime group that deals in the trafficking of guns and drugs,” said a police statement issued yesterday.
DRPS thanked and acknowledged all those who supported its operational plan for the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club Canada Run and for the patience and understanding of residents during the weekend.
It said previous annual events have shown that a strong visible police presence has helped to mitigate adverse impacts on communities. The collective planning and operations supported by OPP Biker Enforcement Unit and other police services from across Canada were instrumental in ensuring this event happened with no significant impact on community safety. “Our officers visited local business in advance and ensured our community was provided information before and during the weekend”.
The DRPS did not have any major incidents; instead, DRPS had minimal calls for service, which can be attributed to the robust, professional joint police response, the statement said.