42 traffic charges laid during the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club run in Brooklin

Whitby | Durham | Crime | Police |

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Published August 9, 2022 at 3:46 pm

hells angels
Lee Brimelow / Wikimedia Commons

The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club Canada Run didn’t impact Durham Region as much as police thought it might.

Hundreds of Hells Angels motorcyclists were expected in the area during the July 22 to 24 weekend.

Approximately 600 Hells Angels members and other associated clubs attended the event and community members called the police tip line throughout the weekend, Durham Regional Police Service said in a press release on Aug. 9.

Many club members bused to and from the Brooklin Chapter location and no formal large motorcycle run through the region, police said.

“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,” police said. “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.”

A strong visible police presence helps mitigate adverse impacts on communities, police said.

The collective planning and operations supported by OPP Biker Enforcement Unit and other police services from across Canada helped make this event happen with no significant impact on community safety.

Despite less individual motorcycles accessing the checkpoint during the weekend, police laid numerous highway traffic offences and towed several motorcycles that were found to be unsafe for the road. But there were no major incidents and minimal calls for service.

There were 179 vehicles processed through the checkpoints.

Charges laid included:

  • 42 Highway Traffic Act  charges (30 Provincial Offence Notices and 12 Part III Summons)
  • Four licence plates seized
  • Five helmets seized
  • Four towed vehicles/placed out of service

Police thanked and acknowledged all those who supported the operational plan for the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club Canada Run. They also thanked the community of Brooklin and all residents for their understanding and patience during that weekend.

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