Hells Angels gather for Saskatoon chapter's 20th anniversary

Members of the Hells Angels are gathering in Saskatoon this weekend.

The gathering is part of plans to celebrate of the 20th anniversary of the club's Saskatoon chapter.

The Saskatoon Police Service said in a statement on Friday that the public can expect to see an increase in the presence of Hells Angels and their associates over the next few days.

Saskatoon police Chief Troy Cooper says that officers are well prepared for the occasion.

"We do have an operational plan in place," said Cooper.

"We know that there's going to be an influx of Hells Angels in the community and so we have additional officers on staff just to make sure that everyone that's involved in the event is safe."

Preparations 'over-policing': lawyer

Brian Pfefferle, a criminal lawyer from Saskatoon who represents the Saskatoon chapter of the Angels, says increased policing around the biker gathering is unnecessary.

"The club has taken the view that any resources directed toward policing the club are wasted resources," Pfefferle said Friday.

"From their perspective, it's the equivalent of trying to over-police a hockey tournament or something."  

Pfefferle emphasizes that if there is a spike in arrests over the weekend, it's unlikely to be because of Hells Angels members. 

"There might be some arrests but I don't expect that they'll have anything to do with visitors coming in … to celebrate the anniversary," Pfefferle said.

Overall, he believes that Saskatoon residents have very little to worry about when it comes to the Hells Angels and public safety.

"I fully expect, as always, that members of the club and their friends will be on their best behaviour in the city and [I] hope that people will be safe."

With files from Lise Ouangari