Police fear Winnipeg summer gang war

Winnipeg police want to avoid a second summer of gang-related fire-bombings and assaults in the city, so they have started taking action now.

The Winnipeg Police Service and federal prosecutors have taken the unusual step of applying in court for peace bonds for nine known biker gang members.

The bonds impose various conditions on individuals, even if they have not been charged with a crime. Conditions could include curfews and orders to stay away from other gang members.

Wiretap information connect the nine men to a turf war that erupted last summer between two motorcycle gangs: the Rock Machine and the Redlined Support Crew, a Hells Angels puppet group.

In an affidavit filed with the court, police outlined last summer's violence between the gangs and raised concerns about public safety.

"There were 20 reported and almost as many unreported incidents of violence between the Redlined/Hells Angels and the Rock Machine, including shootings, assaults and firebombings of properties," the affidavit states in part.

Police said several arrests have been made, but most of the incidents remain unsolved.

"The war has been quiet in the past few months, but the rivalry still exists and it appears the Rock Machine … are still intent on expanding their presence here and across Canada," the court document says.

"More violence is predicted between these two groups."

Two men have agreed to the peace bonds to date.