Police have a new tool in the fight against gangs — the power to strip gang members of their illegally armoured vehicles, it was announced Wednesday.
As of July 1, 2009, new legislation will allow officers to pull over any armoured vehicle in the province, requiring the driver to get their vehicle inspected. If the vehicle does not pass the inspection, the driver may be charged with up to $2,000 in fines and six months in jail.
“By giving police the ability to get these vehicles — which are essentially weapons — off the road, we are delivering a major blow to gang activity in Alberta,” justice minister Alison Redford said in a statement.
Calgary police chief Rick Hanson said the amendment will help hit gang members where it hurts.
“This is yet another way of getting out the message that gangs, and the tools of their trade, are not going to be tolerated in Alberta,” Hanson said.
