Police are closely monitoring the resurgence of a notorious outlaw motorcycle gang that once held sway over the streets of northern Ontario. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is keeping a close eye on renewed activities by Satan’s Choice, as several other biker gangs maintain chapters in the region.
Detective Inspector Scott Wade of the OPP’s Biker Enforcement Unit emphasized the need to assess potential threats posed by emerging outlaw motorcycle gangs. The unit, established for over three decades, collaborates with law enforcement agencies both locally and internationally to combat outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Before being integrated into the Hells Angels through a “patch-over” process in the early 2000s, Satan’s Choice was a formidable motorcycle gang in Ontario, led by former professional boxer Bernie Guindon. Guindon, who later faced legal troubles and served time in prison, saw a resurgence of the club led by his son, Harley Guindon, last summer.
The OPP is ramping up surveillance due to the reemergence of Satan’s Choice and the potential for clashes with rival clubs. Detective Inspector Wade stressed the importance of addressing any violence promptly, especially if it poses a threat to public safety. Outlaw motorcycle gangs are known for recruiting new members from the criminal underworld, targeting specific individuals involved in criminal activities or associating with current members’ family and friends.
Across various Canadian provinces, law enforcement agencies are closely monitoring outlaw motorcycle gangs, known as OMGs, due to their criminal activities and impact on public safety. Sgt. Ryan Ferry of the Edmonton Police Service, who oversees gang-related crime in western Canada, highlighted the national policing priority of tackling outlaw motorcycle gangs. These gangs are distinguished from recreational riding clubs by their organized structure, criminal connections, and use of fear and intimidation tactics.
Ferry emphasized the significant criminal activities linked to biker gangs, ranging from human trafficking to drug trafficking, and their connections to street-level and neighborhood gangs. Despite misconceptions about the lifestyle associated with outlaw motorcycle clubs, Sgt. Ferry warned of the risks involved in affiliating with these groups, which often lead to criminal involvement and violence.
The article sheds light on the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat the resurgence of outlaw motorcycle gangs and the potential threats they pose to public safety and communities.