This new 'round' of Gang Violence...

[Ozy_Flame]

Alright, let's address the elephant in the room. What does everyone think about this escalating gang violence in Calgary as of late? Granted, it's been escalating for years, but now it's becoming far more public.

I actually don't feel any less safe than I ever did, particularly because this bloodshed is being kept to warfare between gangs. It is pretty well-known that gangs do not conduct random attacks on citizens, and gangs that do have none if any presence at all in Calgary.

I used to have a lot of Asian friends back in my high school days; I wouldn't be surprised if way back when I've bumped into one or two of these guys, but I wouldn't be able to recall.

Thoughts? Anyone ducking for cover? Or is this whole thing overblown?

[WhiteTom]

I'm not really more concerned about it now than I was before. I think that this latest rash of reported violence is due to some initial event that could have just as easily occurred earlier, but who knows? I don't feel that I'm in any more danger now, but I find I get a little more concerned when I hear loud noises and squealing tires at night, which is just a result of all the media attention.

One thing that did catch my attention was when the police announced that they are planning on posting pictures and names of known gang members. I'm really not sure where this came from as the Calgary police also have a policy to not name gangs to avoid giving them legitimacy, but now they are planning on showcasing the individuals. It just doesn't make a lot of sense to me, am I missing something?

[mac_gurl]

I don't think its cause for concern... Yet. It seems as though they are focusing on each other, than random individuals. I'm more concerned that I will be targeted by the guy in the south that has been robbing the ladies at the drive-thru banks!

However, I do hope these shootings stop. Everyday there is another one on the news.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by mac_gurl

I don't think its cause for concern... Yet. It seems as though they are focusing on each other, than random individuals. I'm more concerned that I will be targeted by the guy in the south that has been robbing the ladies at the drive-thru banks!

However, I do hope these shootings stop. Everyday there is another one on the news.

It should be a cause for concern. These shootings and whatnot are happening in random neighbourhoods. Its not like they are going out to a field in the prairies and killing eachother there.

There have been plenty of innocent people caught in the crossfire...the teenage girl shot in Toronto a couple years back, in Surrey there were 2 totally uninvolved guys who were executed by a gang, there have been various mistaken identity shootings over the years. Wasn't there a random shooting at southcentre near christmas a couple years back? The recent shooting near the westside rec centre is a few blocks from my parents house in calgary..there were shells all over the place. Anyone in the wrong place at the wrong time could've been killed. These guys might not be specifically targeting civilians but its not like they care about whose around when they are spraying bullets everywhere.

[Bobblehead]

When a co-worker who lives blocks away from me says she heard the shot the other night, I get concerned. Not enough to think the city is going to hell, for all the reasons previously mentioned, but when it happens a bit closer to home you tend to take notice. I know it is between gang members, but once a bullet has left a gun it can't really make the distinction. It isn't like if it misses it will suddenly stop. And I've had to stop suddenly on my street when a child's ball rolled into the street - I can't imagine someone running from a shooting would show that much consideration.

What was the trigger on this round? That Centre St. N murder?

[CaptainCrunch]

I think that they need to ammend the criminal code for gang related activity that automatically adds 10 years to your sentence and removes any chance for parole if you commit any kind of crime and your a member of of affiliate to a gang.

[worth]

Let them all kill each other for all I care.

[troutman]

What influence does TV, movies, music and video games have in all this?

Gangsters, thieves, hit-men, etc. seem to be glamorized more and more in our media. Truth is, these people are all scum-bags, but they are often portrayed sympathetically.

I just watched In Bruges on the weekend, and quite enjoyed it. Still, it is a movie about hit-men. We should be happy that they all die in the end, but the movie attempts to humanize people whose real-life counterparts are psychopath monsters.

[GirlySports]

I was only a block or 2 away from the saturday night shooting in Chinatown

[HelloHockeyFans]

It's not dangerous if you aren't involved in the circle, but if you're in the wrong place at the wrong time....

[ShaolinFlame]

This is why you do not kick the HA out of your town.

Those who fill the niche have no class or professionalism.

[Muta]

I've always found the concept of gangs and gang activity on the Prairies rather headscratching. It just seems like a bad fit in my mind; almost on the same absurdity of the Yakuza invading Flin Flon, Manitoba... Just doesn't make any sense and just seems awkward.

The other funny thing I find is, they mentioned on the news that this recent round of violence stemmed from grudges of two people / groups from their days back in high school. Assuming that it is from my graduation year (2001, so most guys would be around 24-25 now), I wonder when these guys begin to think that this kind of activity is immature and worth pursuing? I mean, holding grudges? Trying to get back at people? Wanting respect / street cred? I didn't realize we were still in Grade 6.

I know a few people my age that STILL act the 'gangsta thug' attitude... c'mon guys, give it up already. At this point, it's laughable. If you want to be hardcore, go and spend a couple nights with your boys in a REAL hood like Compton, and see how long you last. Talk and walk around like you own the neighbourhood; then come back and say you're hardcore.

/rant

[ShaolinFlame]

Originally Posted by Muta

I've always found the concept of gangs and gang activity on the Prairies rather headscratching. It just seems like a bad fit in my mind; almost on the same absurdity of the Yakuza invading Flin Flon, Manitoba... Just doesn't make any sense and just seems awkward.

There have been gangs as long as there have been cities. They aren't there to fight about "cred", it is usually about drugs (and the associated territories), money laundering, and debt.

And I'm sure Flin Flon has some sort of gang connection, whether in town, or in the people who supply the drugs to those who sell them in town.

If you can get something illegal and not know its exact origin, chances are a gang made a profit somewhere along said items path.

I am just a very firm believer that Organized Crime will always exist, so it is better to have a professional organization (like HA or even the Italian Mob) than a bunch of clowns from some lawless SE Asian country who think it ok to shoot up restaurants and crowded streets. When the HA take care of business, nobody outside the HA and maybe some elite Gang Police units know what happened.

[ikaris]

Originally Posted by ShaolinFlame

This is why you do not kick the HA out of your town.

Those who fill the niche have no class or professionalism.

Are you serious? They're among the most despicable out there.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by ShaolinFlame

I am just a very firm believer that Organized Crime will always exist, so it is better to have a professional organization (like HA or even the Italian Mob) than a bunch of clowns from some lawless SE Asian country who think it ok to shoot up restaurants and crowded streets. When the HA take care of business, nobody outside the HA and maybe some elite Gang Police units know what happened.

Then you just proved Muta's point. When will these young, SE Asian street gangs grow up and mature? Does maturing mean start shooting straight? Or does it mean mature into a professional organization?

I agree, I feel far safer with the HA (and to an extent the mob) running the streets; they usually don't involve citizens in their business, and often times have a strict charter in which they follow (as is the case for many large motorcycle gangs).

[Russic]

I had no idea the the HA dealt with class! Personally I'm no more concerned than I was several years ago. The day they start going after randoms is the day I'll become concerned. I think there's an inherent danger no matter where you live. I grew up in a small town that many consider to be a safe place for families yet the number of drunk driving fatalities involving innocents was shocking.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by ShaolinFlame

There have been gangs as long as there have been cities. They aren't there to fight about "cred", it is usually about drugs (and the associated territories), money laundering, and debt.

And I'm sure Flin Flon has some sort of gang connection, whether in town, or in the people who supply the drugs to those who sell them in town.

If you can get something illegal and not know its exact origin, chances are a gang made a profit somewhere along said items path.

I am just a very firm believer that Organized Crime will always exist, so it is better to have a professional organization (like HA or even the Italian Mob) than a bunch of clowns from some lawless SE Asian country who think it ok to shoot up restaurants and crowded streets. When the HA take care of business, nobody outside the HA and maybe some elite Gang Police units know what happened.

Wow, Really?
Ever hear of the Rock Machine?
Look them up and see if your theory of this kind of thing not happening with "Professional Organizations" is true.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by worth

Let them all kill each other for all I care.

Who else misses the days when the Hells Angels would take these losers out back, sort out the problem and then go back to hard drinking, card playing and hardcore drug abuse?

I'm not saying I do, but its one way of doing things.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by troutman

What influence does TV, movies, music and video games have in all this?

Gangsters, thieves, hit-men, etc. seem to be glamorized more and more in our media. Truth is, these people are all scum-bags, but they are often portrayed sympathetically.

I just watched In Bruges on the weekend, and quite enjoyed it. Still, it is a movie about hit-men. We should be happy that they all die in the end, but the movie attempts to humanize people whose real-life counterparts are psychopath monsters.

What are you talking about? These guys are all driving around blasting Coldplay.

[soulchoice]

The HA profit alongside these gangs as well. It is almost a certainty that they do business with many of these other gangs. Also, keep in mind, if the HA were to get involved, its not just a local street thugs that are doing these shootings.

At one time, these small asian gangs were localized, however with the amount of dollars involved, many are now tied to larger groups, Triads, Yakuza, etc. It would be very difficult for even the HA to eliminate these groups, probably impossible.

To the general public, it would just be more war, not less.