A police checkpoint has been set up in Whitby, Ontario, as hundreds of Hells Angels members from across Canada are expected to gather there this weekend.
Durham Police Sergeant Joan Bortolus said officers had set up the checkpoint on Baldwin Street to ensure anyone crossing obeyed the Highway Traffic Act.
“We’re checking for some sobriety. We check that people have the right class in their licence,” she added.
Baldwin Street north of Columbus Road will be closed until 9:00 p.m. Sunday and only local traffic will be allowed.
Read more: Hells Angels procession makes its way through York Region, Toronto
Hundreds of members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club from across Canada are expected in the area throughout the weekend for the “2022 Canada Run,” which is an annual gathering of Hells Angels members from across the country.
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They are expected to gather at the Brooklyn Hells Angels clubhouse on Baldwin Street.
“Nothing criminal happened. We have no indication that anything criminal is going to happen,” Bortolus said.
“We are here because it is a large-scale event. We are expecting a lot of people and we are here to ensure the safety of the public.
Bortolus added that if a member of the public notices illegal activity that is not an emergency, Durham Regional Police have a dedicated tip line and email address that is listed on their website.
TODAY through Sunday: Due to a large-scale event involving the Hells Angels MC this weekend, Highway 12/Baldwin Street north of Columbus will be closed from Friday, July 22 at 4 a.m. until Sunday, July 24 at 9 p.m. Only local traffic has access. Detour signs will be in place. See the map below. pic.twitter.com/i7Ce8sxnkQ
— Durham Regional Police (@DRPS) July 22, 2022
Earlier this week, Deputy Chief Dean Bertrim of Durham Regional Police Service was among several officers who held a press conference explaining to the public what to expect at this weekend’s event.
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“During the weekend of July 22nd to 24th, which is obviously Friday to Sunday, the Brooklyn chapter of the Hells Angels motorcycle club will be hosting an event they’re calling Canada Run 2022,” said Bertrim.
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“We expect hundreds of motorcycle club members from across Canada to converge on our region.”
He said the event would be held at a residence in Brooklyn – a neighborhood in Whitby – and up to 1,000 members could attend.
“While there is a focus on hosting activities in the Brooklyn location, we know that Hells Angels members will be moving throughout the region in lodgings and visits to hospitality locations,” Bertrim added.
Read more: Hells Angels members from across Canada expected to converge on Durham Region this weekend
“On behalf of Chief (Todd) Rollauer and our members, I want to assure the community that our department is well aware of the event and has a comprehensive operational plan and is supported by the provincial anti-bikie unit and our local and national partners.” “
He said officers would have a “zero tolerance approach” to any illegal activity.
“We’ve already seen supporters of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club on social media downplaying this and questioning why we’re making a big deal about it and we feel we’re unfairly painting the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club in a negative light,” Bertrim said.
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“Let me be clear today: they are an organized crime group that has consistently proven to be responsible for all kinds of … crimes, including drug trafficking, illegal gambling, human trafficking, firearms and acts of violence committed by their members and/or through support clubs.”
1:45 Hells Angels procession passes through York Region, Toronto Previous video Next video
Bertrim said he didn’t want to cause panic by describing what was expected over the weekend, but said he had a “responsibility to make sure our community is aware and provided the correct information.”
“Rest assured that our main focus in managing this event (is) to ensure that we get through this safely and smoothly for everyone,” he said.
Det. Insp. Scott Wade of the Ontario Provincial Police said normally events like the Canada Run are not a “significant risk to public safety,” but said members of the public should not interact with “outlaw motorcycle club riders.”
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This weekend’s event in Durham Region follows a Hells Angels memorial procession that traveled from Newmarket to Toronto on Thursday in honor of Donnie Petersen, head of the Hells Angels’ Toronto branch, who died in December 2021.
A group of bikers gather outside a storefront in Toronto’s east end after a procession to honor longtime Toronto Hells Angels member Donnie Petersen, who died in late 2021, Thursday, July 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
This is the checkpoint in #Brooklin Ontario where every member of the Hells Angels and their associates are stopped before proceeding to the clubhouse just north of Baldwin St & Columbus Rd where bikers meet before the Canada Run @DRPS @ OPP_News pic.twitter.com/iCq5afK4b1
— Catherine McDonald (@cmcdonaldglobal) July 22, 2022
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