Vancouver Gang Violence: A Historical Analysis Study Notes
Vancouver Gang Violence: A Historical Analysis
Author
Dr. Keiron McConnell
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Abstract
This article provides a historical description of key gangs and relevant events in British Columbia (BC), focusing specifically on Vancouver, over the period from 1909 to 2012.
The emphasis is placed on significant incidents and themes of gang violence.
A primary objective is to refute the belief that contemporary society is more violent than before, revealing instead that gang violence is deeply rooted in Vancouver's history.
Historical data from newspapers and police documents indicate that violence has remained relatively constant for over a century in BC.
Notable incidents include murders, shootings, and gang fights impacting innocent bystanders.
The article argues that policymakers should not attribute the violence to newer generations or cultural phenomena (media, video games, etc.) as it has historically persisted as part of the social fabric.
Keywords
Gang; crime; gang violence; police; shooting; violence; murder; drug trade; organized crime; gang unit; history; biker; Vancouver; Lower Mainland; British Columbia.
Table of Contents
The Early Years
The 1950s and 1960s: The Era of the Park Gangs
2.1 The Early Asian Gangs
The 1980s
3.1 Multi-ethnic street gangs
3.2 Pivotal incidents
The 1990s
4.1 The Russians, the Asians, and the Hells Angels go to war
4.2 Time to behave, triads warn
4.3 The Dosanjh brothers’ demise
4.4 Bindy Johal’s Domination
4.5 Bar Watch created
4.6 Bindy Johal’s death
The Vietnamese and Indo-Canadian Years
Recent Violent Years
6.1 Dover Park shooting
6.2 Fortune Happiness shooting
6.3 Surrey six murders
6.4 Violence Suppression Team created
6.5 Gotham shooting
6.6 Oakridge Mall shooting
6.7 "Gangcouver."
6.8 "There is a gang war and it’s brutal."
6.9 Hit to the United Nations gang, American-justice style
6.10 The Dhak/Duhre gang versus the Red Scorpions, Independent Soldiers, and Hells Angels
Chapter Conclusion
References
Preface
The narrative begins with an account of a significant event on January 19, 2008, when Ricky Scarpino and his bodyguard were murdered outside the Gotham restaurant in Vancouver.
This incident exemplified the violent reality of gang activity in BC, contradicting public perceptions about the current state of violence.
Influential figures within law enforcement and government exaggerated claims of unprecedented violence in the province, claiming it was a new phenomenon.
Through thorough examination, the article seeks to demonstrate the historical consistency of gang violence dating back much earlier than media reports would indicate.
1. The Early Years
Gangs were first reported in British Columbia in 1909, with significant gang activity emerging in Vancouver during the 1920s.
Early gangs were geographically based and engaged in burglaries, with increasing incidents of firearm usage during robberies.
Notable examples include:
Collingwood Street Gang
Cordova Street Gang
In the 1920s and 1930s, policing efforts primarily targeted illegal activities involving Chinese immigrant communities: opium dens and gambling.
A high-profile case involved gangster Shue Moy in 1928, implicating local government officials in corruption.
Gang violence fluctuated throughout the late 1930s and early 1940s but saw re-emergence in 1944 with the Zoot Suit gangs, ultimately leading to public violence that resulted in deaths.
2. The 1950s and 1960s: The Era of the Park Gangs
In the 1950s, gang congregations were seen in neighborhoods like the East End, Kerrisdale, and Point Grey.
By the mid-1950s, gang activity rose to significant levels, resulting in multiple organized groups, including:
Alma Dukes
Vic Gang
Zoot Suits
1960s saw the rise of park-based gangs, particularly the Grandview Park Gang, known for drug involvement and illicit trade of cigarettes and alcohol.
2.1 The Early Asian Gangs
The Soccer Club, later called the Jung Ching and eventually the Lotus Gang, marked the emergence of Asian gangs in 1967.
Chinatown gangs developed international connections, notably with the Red Eagles formed from Hong Kong Chinese immigrants in 1976.
Conflicts arose among these gangs, with significant confrontations and violence reported from the late 1970s.
3. The 1980s
3.1 Multi-ethnic street gangs
Notable new groups formed included the Towa gang, with members of diverse ethnic backgrounds, engaging in mixed criminal activities.
The influx of Central American refugees from the U.S. facilitated the formation of Los Diablos,
consolidating their power in East Vancouver.Violence escalated during this period, with several active gangs engaged in repeated conflicts that marked the decade.
3.2 Pivotal incidents
1988 witnessed the Woodland Bridge Shooting, which became emblematic of the escalating violence that grabbed public attention.
Significant gang warfare tactics adapted from Los Angeles began to emerge in Vancouver, particularly regarding the increase in drive-by shootings leading to public concern.
4. The 1990s
4.1 The Russians, the Asians, and the Hells Angels go to war
The early 1990s were marked by conflict between various ethnic-based gang factions including Russians, Asians, and local biker gangs such as the Hells Angels, characterized by extreme gang violence.
4.2 Time to behave, triads warn
A brief lull in gang violence was prompted due to interventions by more organized crime figures advising youth gangs to cool conflicts for business benefits rather than retaliatory violence.
4.3 The Dosanjh brothers’ demise
The killings of hitmen Jimsher and Ron Dosanjh, following their prior involvement in high-profile violence redefined the gang landscape, leading to wrongful killings of innocents in retaliation.
4.4 Bindy Johal’s Domination
Bindy Johal’s rise to power in gang hierarchy led to dominant influence over drug dealings and violent acts between factions.
4.5 Bar Watch created
Initiatives such as Bar Watch in Vancouver introduced to manage violence in nightlife venues but did not stop the rise in gang shootings.
4.6 Bindy Johal’s death
His eventual assassination in a crowded nightclub showcased the ongoing reckless violence amidst extensive publicity surrounding his criminal arsenal.
5. The Vietnamese and Indo-Canadian Years
The narrative addresses the gang violence involving Vietnamese and Indo-Canadian populations, detailing how such groups interacted and engaged in turf wars that led to numerous fatalities among members and innocent bystanders.
6. Recent Violent Years
A detailed discussion of violent incidents from 2007 to 2012 outlines how gang warfare persisted, leading to hundreds of deaths, many of which involved innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
6.1 Dover Park shooting
An incident of massive violence where a public gathering erupted into gunfire.
6.2 Fortune Happiness shooting
Continued escalation and dramatic impacts of car shootings and public venue violence confirming a troubling trend.
6.3 Surrey six murders
An execution-style hit on rival gang members that signified the brutality of gang conflicts.
6.4 Violence Suppression Team created
Law enforcement's attempt to curb the violence through specialized teams.
6.5 Gotham shooting
A prominent case showcasing the high-profile impacts of ongoing gang wars leading to public debates about community safety.
6.6 Oakridge Mall shooting
An example of gangs operating brazenly in public spaces with disregard for civilian safety.
6.7 "Gangcouver."
Media narratives portrayed Vancouver as a hub of gang activity, impacting public perception and police responses.
6.8 "There is a gang war and it’s brutal."
Police acknowledged the severity of gang violence, leading the public to fear for their safety.
6.9 Hit to the United Nations gang, American-justice style
U.S. law enforcement exacerbated tensions when gang leaders were targeted, leading to turmoil on BC streets.
6.10 The Dhak/Duhre gang versus the Red Scorpions, Independent Soldiers, and Hells Angels
Reflected a deepening legacy of gang affiliations and violence with significant repercussions for the landscape of criminal activity in Vancouver.
7. Chapter Conclusion
The narrative concludes with a direct challenge to the notion of contemporary gang violence as unprecedented by highlighting historical cycles of violence and operational continuity across generations of gangs in BC.
References
Contains extensive citations of academic works, news articles, and legal documents that provide the foundational evidence for the claims made throughout the article.