Calgary 'Gang' violence

[HelloHockeyFans]

Originally posted by fotze@Mar 1 2005, 02:44 PM
Another shooting at a Calgary 'eatery', if Burger King can be called that.

http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/CalgarySun/N...945892-sun.html

Can anyone more familiar with the Asian gang thing enlighten me on this?

It used to be loser white boys pretending to be black back in my teenage days, now it seems to be asian guys pretending to be from Compton. Except instead of growing up in poverty without a father these guys have been given a BMW from their folks, just seems hilarious if not for the bullets.

Believe it or not, it's not about "pretending to be black", nor is it about "pretending to be from Compton". I'm not really sure what you mean by that exactly, although I have an idea, I would rather ignore such sweeping generalizations.

I am Asian, but I don't feel my being Asian will enlighten you anymore than someone who isn't Asian.

When it comes down to it, these hooligans (regardless of race) do what they do because of the glamourization of gangsters they see. In some cases, the violence occurs directly because of money (ie. competition among rivals for "business" etc) but in other cases (which you eluded to) it has nothing to do with money, and everything to do with how they feel they'll be perceived by their peers when they see their actions.

I don't condone what they do by any means, but I have come across people who are like that in the past, so I do know some of the motives behind what they do.

As these thugs get older, despite sounding like a cliche, the truth is that once they're "in", it's hard to get out. What makes it so hard has more to do with getting comfortable with the money they have though, and not much to do with the misconception that they are some how obliged to stay in the "gang". True organized "gangs" don't really exist anymore anyway, these people basically have groups of friends like you and I, who all happen to share common misled perceptions of the world.

Again, I'm not claiming to be an expert but I speak from knowledge I've gained through friendships which have existed in the past.

[CaptainCrunch]

Its frightening how quickly this problem has exploded onto the scene in Calgary. I used to be concerned about the bikers, but bikers are nothing compared to the Asian and Lebanese gangs that are popping out of the woodwork.

There are Asian gangmembers who are going through the immigration process with the intent on setting up 'franchises' in major cities. They're a whole lot smarter, and a lot less obvious then the bikers, and that makes them dangerous. They don't wear colors, they blend in, but they're importing drugs, and guns, and girls at a huge rate.

Its not unusual when the police are raiding drug growing operations that they are finding uzi's, ingram mac 10s, m16 knockoffs and AK 74s that were stamped out of the big weapon factories in Singapore.

Give it another couple of years un teathered and we're going to have a real serious problem.

[dangler22]

They are fighting over coke plain and simple.

[Lurch]

That is quite possibly the most poorly written article I've ever had the displeasure of reading.

As an aside, I think the whole gang violence thing is largely overblown. I recall in the late 80's and early 90's that gangs were a big issue in Calgary as well, and violent crime rates are much lower today than 15 years ago. Maybe it's just my recollection, but it seemed like there were near weekly fatality stabbings on Electric Avenue back then attributed to spiralling gang violence that threatened the very fabric of our city (to borrow a Sun phrase!)

[the_only_turek_fan]

I rarely go out in downtown any more partly because of that reason.

I think in 2004, we had like 6-7 murders in the first 10 days of January or something.

We have had 3 this year in 2005.

I dont wish to be in the middle when two gangmembers are shooting at each other.

[socalwingfan]

Originally posted by Lurch@Mar 1 2005, 03:40 PM
As an aside, I think the whole gang violence thing is largely overblown. I recall in the late 80's and early 90's that gangs were a big issue in Calgary as well, and violent crime rates are much lower today than 15 years ago. Maybe it's just my recollection, but it seemed like there were near weekly fatality stabbings on Electric Avenue back then attributed to spiralling gang violence that threatened the very fabric of our city (to borrow a Sun phrase!)

It maybe that the problem is overblown - but they better get a handle on the gangs before it explodes. In the neighboring city where I live, there is a gang that has over 1000 members. The city has had to impose a 5 mile injunction that places a curfew of 10PM on gang members, anyone wearing Dallas Cowboys gear (their colors) can be arrested in that injunction area for no reason.

Calgary needs to get a handle on the problem now, you don't want to turn downtown into a Police state.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally posted by Lurch@Mar 1 2005, 09:40 AM
That is quite possibly the most poorly written article I've ever had the displeasure of reading.

As an aside, I think the whole gang violence thing is largely overblown. I recall in the late 80's and early 90's that gangs were a big issue in Calgary as well, and violent crime rates are much lower today than 15 years ago. Maybe it's just my recollection, but it seemed like there were near weekly fatality stabbings on Electric Avenue back then attributed to spiralling gang violence that threatened the very fabric of our city (to borrow a Sun phrase!)

I don't see how someone could say that this is overblown. We have violence breaking out in clubs where bullets are flying and innocent people are getting hurt. Very scary stuff. The problem is that gang violence has a tendancy to start to snowball. Witness the biker wars in Quebec a number of years ago. I don't know how you put a stop to it but I think its clear that more resources need to be allocated to it.

[Calgary Flames]

It's the young asian punks that cause this... it's a fact. Some times it's about drugs... but not allwaysl. They all have their machetes in their cars and will swing it at any rival they see. It's fataed up.

You can label me a racist, which I am not... And I know 98% of Asian kids are not gang related. But i've had personal experience with alot of these guys. I went to one of the worst high schools in the city and have been friends with a few of these guys. What is odd is that they are all nice people with good families but they still end up into the gang scene and it's quite sad..

Put me in the camp of people who don't even think to go to nightclubs when looking for a fun time.

[Clarkey]

At least they are shooting each other.

I was in high school about 5 years ago. I remember hearing about all kinds of stuff that never got to the police or media, and I kept my nose clean.

Victims are afraid to testify against these guys and maybe they have a good reason.

These losers have no respect, honor or courage. How did they even get so evil? Is it because the parents move here looking for opportunity and have to work so hard that they don't have any time to spend with their children to bring them up with some decent principles and values?

[Andrew]

Originally posted by Calgary Flames@Mar 1 2005, 12:21 PM
It's the young asian punks that cause this... it's a fact. Some times it's about drugs... but not allwaysl. They all have their machetes in their cars and will swing it at any rival they see. It's fataed up.

Lots of the gang problems are asian related I do admit. But when a caucasian man shoots another caucasian man is there really that big of a deal...I am sure there are a fair number of "white shooting white" incidences, yet nobody makes a big deal of it. Of course lots are not gang related, white stabbings etc aren't as often gang related but same deal, somebody else could get hurt too. Also I would think that most drug related infractions have to deal with caucasians and not asian minorities. Drugs and violence go hand in hand.

On the other hand... I don't condone what these idiots do nor understand. so you shoot my brother? and I shoot you? What good does that do.... I don't see the logic in it.
Its disgusting how if you go to a bar if you are asian or coloured somebody looks at you differently. Its like being middle eastern, entering the states you are looked at likea terrorist.

Living in Edmonton, I think Calgary only "touches" some of the gang related problems that are in Edmonton. Really I think most of these stabbings and shootings ARE targetted.... i am not really scared. Just don't associate with the wrong ppl and don't lip off at ppl.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally posted by the_only_turek_fan@Mar 1 2005, 04:08 PM
I rarely go out in downtown any more partly because of that reason.

I think in 2004, we had like 6-7 murders in the first 10 days of January or something.

We have had 3 this year in 2005.

I dont wish to be in the middle when two gangmembers are shooting at each other.

Way to let fear run your life.

You'll have a hard time convincing me that downtown is particularly dangerous for the common man.

Far more likely chance of dying every time you get in a car. How could you justify not going downtown and yet still ride in a vehicle?

[RougeUnderoos]

YOu can call me a racist, but I think it's a good thing that people in Dallas Cowboys gear are targetted by police.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Originally posted by RougeUnderoos@Mar 1 2005, 06:36 PM
YOu can call me a racist, but I think it's a good thing that people in Dallas Cowboys gear are targetted by police.

They should do something about people who wear Oilers' jerseys! :P

[Incinerator]

Originally posted by fotze@Mar 1 2005, 02:44 PM
Another shooting at a Calgary 'eatery', if Burger King can be called that.

http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/CalgarySun/N...945892-sun.html

Can anyone more familiar with the Asian gang thing enlighten me on this?

It used to be loser white boys pretending to be black back in my teenage days, now it seems to be asian guys pretending to be from Compton. Except instead of growing up in poverty without a father these guys have been given a BMW from their folks, just seems hilarious if not for the bullets.

This is about 100th hand info but take it for what it's worth:

Most are viet 'gangs' from Vancouver, the guns are bought in the black market smuggled from the states. There is a very big drugs trading industry with the 'gangs' in Calgary and when a deal goes bad, shooting occurs. You can probably safely say that about 70% of these shootings are caused by this scenario.

[Neeper]

I am Asian, and I am was only a few degrees of separation from these people. Out of 3 or 4 shootings this month I know or am connected to the victims by one or 2 degrees. I am sick and tired of what is happening. It is mostly the younger ones doing this. When I say that, I mean guys in their early 20's. They think they are hardcore and they have to prove it to their friends. Most of the time it is NOT about drugs!! Trust me. It's usually a beef. Something that happened at a club or something that happened when they were in high school. The first shooting this year, was drug related, I went to high school with him. Then my friend got shot 4 times in the chest downtown after the club, because they had a confrontation with the shooters group. He has recovered since. The club shooting on the weekend was a retaliation hit. The guy lived a violent life and died violently. It's not even "gangs", it's small groups of friends that think they are hard. 5 or 8 guys, nothing like Biker gangs that number in the thousands. I know the mentality of these people. They think they have something to prove. It's going to be a vicious circle, because of all the revenge. For most of you guys out there, I wouldn't worry about your safety since it's not random. As for me, I am gonna stay away from the clubs. Who knows, they might think I am someone else. I think it's safer to be white nowadays.

[Faid1]

Man whatever happened to Asians being geeks who were good at Math?

[Calgary Flames]

Good points Neeper... people think it's always about drugs but that's just not always the case... alot of these guys grew up together and went to all the same schools, and just like that they have a gang/family mentality. They go out to a bar, get into a beef with another group of friends... nothing may happen. But in the future both groups of people may run into each other at a bar again, and at that point bad things happen... Machette chops, weapon fights, and at worst shootings.

[FlamesAddiction]

A friend of mine was stabbed a few times by an Asian gang member in Vancouver. He accidentally stepped on the guys backpack down at the Canada Day celebrations a few years ago, and the guy sliced him up bad. He was in the hospital for months and lost a kidney.

Not one person would come forward as a witness and it happened in a crowd of people.

[Looger]

gang violence is a reality in calgary, but i don't think it's getting worse at some alarming rate.

the population has grown by leaps and bounds and with that comes more markets for cocaine, heroin, etc. leading to more gangs.

and it's not just asians or lebanese, your friendly neighbourhood hell's angels are vice profiteers as well.

calgary does not have the problems that even minor cities like prince george has in british columbia, or good god vancouver.

consider yourselves lucky, alberta is an ivory tower.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Umm... after speaking to a friend of mine from Calgary, he informed me of another incident this past weekend... seems the story posted above was related to the one posted below.

Linky Linky

I was raised in Calgary and lived there until 1997... wow how things change...