Langford Mayor Stew Young says the new DevilB次元官网网址檚 Army motorcycle gang clubhouse at 2775 Spencer Rd. presents more of a land-use issue than a criminal one, at least from the CityB次元官网网址檚 perspective.

The clubhouse officially opened Saturday, coinciding with the annual Zeke Run B次元官网网址� a motorcycle ride in memory of a Nanaimo Hells Angels member who disappeared in 1993.

Around 100 bikers made the trip from Campbell River to the new clubhouse, where they gathered for the opening under the watchful eyes of RCMP.

B次元官网网址淲e are taking direction from the RCMP who have the resources to deal with these types of situations,B次元官网网址� Young said. B次元官网网址淎ll I am concerned about as a mayor is that our community is safe.B次元官网网址�

He acknowledged that any such organization B次元官网网址� whether engaged in criminal activity or not B次元官网网址�  in close proximity to schools and major thoroughfares, increases the concern from the residents.

While the police will continue to take care of criminal aspects in the community, Young said, the City is in charge of land use and thatB次元官网网址檚 his main issue with the clubhouse at this time.

B次元官网网址淔rom our perspective, itB次元官网网址檚 just like any other development in Langford that doesnB次元官网网址檛 comply with the zoning. Whether theyB次元官网网址檙e a biker gang or not, they came into town and bought a piece of property, did renovations without permits, with no notification to our staff at all.

B次元官网网址淎nd then we looked at their zoning, and you canB次元官网网址檛 have 100 or 150 people B次元官网网址� or however many were there on the weekend B次元官网网址� with one or two washrooms. The zoning doesnB次元官网网址檛 allow that. Whether itB次元官网网址檚 legal activity or not thatB次元官网网址檚 going on there, itB次元官网网址檚 not the appropriate use,B次元官网网址� he said.

Young added that heB次元官网网址檚 more concerned right now about the rise in high-profile crimes being seen in the city before the clubhouse went in. B次元官网网址�(Criminals) were already in our community before (the clubhouse) was opened up. We need to bring down the guys who are on our trails lurking around,B次元官网网址� he said, referencing the recent spate of public assaults in the region.

Up to 10 more RCMP officers will be hired this year for the West Shore detachment B次元官网网址� according to their needs in addressing the uptick in crime.

Young said he is B次元官网网址渧ery concernedB次元官网网址� about the criminal activity thatB次元官网网址檚 been happening recently in the community, and the biker clubhouse isnB次元官网网址檛 the reason for it. The city was already discussing increasing the funding given to the West Shore RCMP detachment so they can add officers, and those additional resources were planned well before news of the clubhouse reached City Hall, Young said.

Langford contributes, on average, funds for one additional officer per year to the West Shore RCMP detachment, but this year they will add as many as are needed to gain control over the crime situation, he said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 something we have to do as a community to make sure we are safe. When you start to see a spike (in crime), weB次元官网网址檇 better address it right away.B次元官网网址�

Young didnB次元官网网址檛 rule out a property tax increase to pay for such a boost in police resources, and he thinks the public will understand that community safety is a good use of public dollars.

In a statement released last week, the West Shore RCMP called reports that a clubhouse for the Devils Army B次元官网网址� an affiliate of the Hells Angels B次元官网网址� was being created in Langford B次元官网网址渃oncerningB次元官网网址� and one that will be under B次元官网网址渃lose scrutiny by your local RCMP and city officials.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淢aintaining public safety remains the top priority of the West Shore RCMP Detachment,B次元官网网址� West Shore RCMP Insp. Larry Chomyn said in the statement. B次元官网网址淲e will work closely with our neighbouring RCMP, municipal police forces and partner agencies to identify, investigate and disrupt criminal activity and organized crime in our communities.B次元官网网址�

As always, the public is asked to report any suspicious or illegal activities they see anywhere in the region to the RCMP at 250-474-2264 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

mdavies@goldstreamgazette.com