BC Crime Fighters Have A New Tool

Wednesday, February 02, 2011 01:53 PM

Heavily armoured rear door of SUV photo courtesy BC Ministry of Solicitor General

Prince George, B.C. - Police officers in B.C. have a new weapon in their arsenal to battle gangs...

New legislation has taken effect to add more 'punch' to the civil forfeiture law already in existence for vehicles found with armour or secret compartments. The new law adds criminal penalties for those who illegally operate or modify these types of vehicles. As of Feb. 1, penalties for contravening the Armoured Vehicle and After-market Compartment Control Act include fines up to $10,000 and six months imprisonment upon conviction.

"Gangsters who drive behind bulletproof glass or use secret compartments to further their criminal activities will face fines and jail time under legislation now in effect," says Solicitor General Rich Coleman. (photo at right, also courtesy of the ministry)

He says, "The only reason to add armour or secret compartments to vehicles is to further criminal enterprises -- whether it's to evade police or other criminal, or to hide guns, drugs, or money."

The President of the BC Association of Police Chiefs, RCMP Superintendent, Tonia Enger, "B.C.'s police chiefs support this law as one more tool to help us keep the public and police officers safer from violent gang members, organized crime and its inherent rivalries."

Coleman points that over the past two years, the province has dedicated more police officers to anti-gang units, setting up two regional teams in Prince George and Kelowna, along with a 10-member weapons enforcement team as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce gun and gang violence across the province.

(Ministry photo below shows sophisticated hidden compartment inside vehicle dash with pistol and magazine for ammunition)

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Posted on Wednesday, February 02, 2011 01:53 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Dragonmaster on February 2 2011 2:34 PM

They should bring in a long gun registry. That would prevent criminals from using them and the police would know who has them.

Posted by: billposer on February 2 2011 2:51 PM

It simply isn't true that only criminals have a use for armour or secret compartments. People who fear assasination have reason to use armour. When someone like the President of the US visits BC, you can bet that he travels in an armoured vehicle. Private people who sometimes need such protection include politicians and those attacked for their views or writing such as Salman Rushdie. And people who need to travel with valuables may have a legitimate use for secret compartments.

Posted by: hood rich on February 2 2011 3:09 PM

Dragonmaster, I believe we have long gun registry.

Billposer, start the appeal process for ur civil rights. Seems like a valid complaint.

Posted by: billposer on February 2 2011 3:21 PM

Fortunately, I do not, as far as I know, have a need for an armoured vehicle. But you never know...

Posted by: confused on February 2 2011 3:32 PM

dragon master... never really new for sure but now I know you are an idiot...

Posted by: zyblxteu on February 2 2011 3:44 PM

Thats OK DM it was time too come out of the coma......

Posted by: Dragonmaster on February 2 2011 4:05 PM

"Dragonmaster, I believe we have long gun registry."

ROTFLMFAO!!! You don't say?

"dragon master... never really new for sure but now I know you are an idiot..."

The name is one word and spelled "Dragonmaster" if you don't mind. An old guy with no sense of humour you are!

You know its a sad day in the neighbourhood when nobody knows sarcasm when they read it. Of course there are actual people out there that are completely clueless when it comes to common knowledge, therefore you are forgiven.

Posted by: PrinceGeorge on February 2 2011 4:14 PM

Dragonmaster, don't get mad - get even, get even by ignoring ignorant remqarks. You know what is said about *sticks and stones*!

Posted by: opine on February 2 2011 4:17 PM

Come on, kids. Play nice!

Posted by: Dragonmaster on February 2 2011 4:32 PM

Who's mad? I'm not. If I was mad I'd end up getting banned, LOL.
I always poke back when getting poked, no worries.

Posted by: Slim2229 on February 2 2011 5:33 PM

Will you guys quit the name calling and read again? Jeez, I thought Dragonmaster was hilawious. I say we NEED a short gun registry for stolen guns, then the Po-lice would know where to find them.
It's good to see this law but doubt it will make much of a difference.
The law has to be changed to make it easier to pursue those associated to or part of a gang, that would be doing something.

Posted by: balboa on February 2 2011 5:59 PM

Slim2229
What's a short gun??

Posted by: Slim2229 on February 2 2011 6:52 PM

shorter than Dragonmasters' long gun.
Gonna say something else but I'd probably get banned..............

Posted by: Headshake on February 2 2011 9:26 PM

Short gun's what men who drive big pickups have in their pants.

Posted by: supertech on February 2 2011 9:54 PM

I too thought Dragonmaster was hillarious but I get sick to my stomach when the school boys start with the name calling. Grow up you confused adolescent!

Posted by: supertech on February 2 2011 9:58 PM

Now, about the armoured car. It's not about criminals--it's about legislating away more of our rights to protect ourselves. Sorry guys--if I make an armoured car how will anyone know? I can buy a used police cruiser at auction--they are armoured already. Are they going to legislate that the police cars be crushed after use? I guess they will have to.

Posted by: metalman on February 3 2011 7:04 AM

"They should bring in a long gun registry"

So obviously made in jest.

metalman.

Posted by: yellow shovel on February 3 2011 8:31 AM

Right on....I feel so much safer already! I'm sure all the thugs out there are busy dismantling their amoured rides n fixing the secret cubby holes.......probably right along with all their illegal guns, body armour,tazers etc. I'm sure they're all just shiverin in their boots. We got em on the run now.

Posted by: My3Centsworth on February 3 2011 8:38 AM

Police cruisers are not armoured.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on February 3 2011 8:41 AM

My wife's car has a secret compartment under the back seat.
Boy,is she gonna be in trouble!
I'm gonna miss her at supper time!

Posted by: Harbinger on February 3 2011 9:35 AM

Not news yet but I read that our "alleged" gangster would rather do time in our jail than go to South Africa! Tourism PG should hire this guy for a tourism booster job right away. Get him in peoples faces and get him to tell potential tourists truthfully that being in the "Hilton on the Hill" here in PG is most preferable than being in a country that most likely makes the prison inmates there pay for their own cablevision. It costs thousands to fly to S A and then purchase a tour of the country. Why go there when you can come here and get three hots and a cot free? Deport him and check to see how tough he is there in the next few years. Being free in another country is less desirable than being cooped up in a jail somewhere else? Hey, that's why they're called "cons".