The Saanich Police Department says a notorious gang based in the Lower Mainland is attempting to infiltrate Greater Victoria schools.

According to Saanich police, the Metro Vancouver-based Brothers Keepers gang B次元官网网址� with a history of drug trafficking and murder B次元官网网址� is attempting to set up shop in Saanich schools, using the same recruitment strategy they use in the Lower Mainland.

In June 2023, the Greater Victoria School District police-liaison program was cut after the B.C. human rights commissioner Kasari Govender recommended the programs be ended after a study found that school officers made marginalized students feel less safe.

B次元官网网址淰iolence, selling of drugs, or any other illicit products, some intimidation, things like this, is being practiced more and more in these environments, because thereB次元官网网址檚 a new vulnerability that theyB次元官网网址檙e taking advantage of,B次元官网网址� Saanich police Chief Dean Duthie said.

According to a 2020 news release from the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C., a provincial anti-gang police agency, the Brothers Keepers first emerged within the B.C. gang landscape in 2017 and were immediately in conflict with rival gangs such as the Wolfpack and the Hells Angels.

B次元官网网址淭his conflict resulted in violence manifesting on streets and in communities across the province,B次元官网网址� noted the release.

Mark Jenkins, a former school liaison officer, says there are about 50 Brothers Keepers members and associates currently in Greater Victoria as an attempt at expanding business into the South Island.

B次元官网网址淭hey just know how to get our kids attention. ItB次元官网网址檚 through vape products, through high-end clothing, knowing what to say to these kids, how to connect to these kids,B次元官网网址� Jenkins said. B次元官网网址淭hese gangs are good at what they do, and our kids are at risk. WeB次元官网网址檝e seen it in Saanich, weB次元官网网址檙e seeing it in Victoria.B次元官网网址�

Duthie said the the department is trying to curb the ongoing gang infiltration, however, they continue to face hurdles without an ongoing police presence in schools.

B次元官网网址淭his is an issue that we have been very aware of and been dealing with for years, the gang presence and threat of infiltrating a school environment is not a new phenomenon, but in the past, itB次元官网网址檚 been able to be quickly recognized and responded to by police who are working very closely within the schools,B次元官网网址� he said.

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