Biker gang activity on the rise in Cape Breton, say police

Police in Cape Breton say at least two outlaw motorcycle gangs are recruiting on the island and their memberships are increasing.

Police say they have reason to suspect a new clubhouse is also being established in the Coxheath area. 

Outlaw motorcycle clubs first started cropping up on the island in 2015.

Const. John Campbell of the Cape Breton Regional Police Service said growing activity is tied to a flourishing drug trade. 

Four known gangs

"Right now we have four motorcycle gangs: the Outlaws, the Black Pistons, the Highlanders and the Salty Souls," Campbell said.

"There's a huge market here for cocaine right now and they'll take any opportunity they can to make money for their club, for their organization, and it's strength in numbers." 

Campbell said clubhouse members often portray themselves as good neighbours and motorcycle enthusiasts. 

"They do fundraising for different events or for special causes," he said. 

"They want that to stick out in people's minds so that when the police do enforce them, then the community is wondering, 'Why are the police bothering these decent people?'"

Police educating the community

Cpl. Andy Cook, an organized crime expert based in Prince Edward Island, led an education session Thursday for members of the downtown Sydney business community.

Additional meetings were held with representatives of Membertou First Nation, the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education and community development organization Bay-It-Forward in Glace Bay.

Cook said crime groups are intrinsically linked to violence. He warned against buying, or even wearing, clothing that supports criminality. 

"They put money into their coffers that they can use for other things," he said. "And it spreads their message into the community."

In recent months, Cape Breton Regional Police executed at least three search warrants and seized more than $130,000 in drugs, cash and weapons tied to outlaw motorcycle clubs. 

Robert Walsh, the acting police chief, said his department is proposing a signage campaign that would ban people from wearing outlaw club logos in business establishments.

Police will also be approaching the Cape Breton Regional Municipality in hopes of creating a bylaw to ban such emblems on municipal properties. 

"By being proactive and partnering with our community, we can better prevent these organizations from establishing themselves here," Walsh said. 

Business owners concerned about criminal activity were told by Walsh that there is "safety in numbers."