Police are closely monitoring the resurgence of an outlaw motorcycle gang that previously held sway over northern Ontario’s streets. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is on high alert due to renewed activity from Satan’s Choice, as several other biker gangs maintain a presence in the region.
Det.-Insp. Scott Wade of OPP’s Biker Enforcement Unit emphasized the unit’s vigilance towards emerging outlaw motorcycle gangs, focusing on potential violence and associated criminal activities. With over 30 years of operation, the unit collaborates with law enforcement agencies across Ontario and internationally to combat outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Before merging with the Hells Angels in the early 2000s, Satan’s Choice was a dominant motorcycle gang in Ontario, led by former international boxer Bernie Guindon. Guindon, who later faced prison time for offenses including drug trafficking, saw his son Harley announce the club’s revival in August, intending to establish chapters nationwide, including in northern Ontario.
The OPP is monitoring the situation closely, anticipating potential conflicts between rival clubs. Wade stressed the importance of addressing any violence promptly to ensure public safety. Outlaw motorcycle gangs often recruit new members from the criminal underworld, targeting specific areas and individuals active in criminal activities, including friends and family of existing members.
Across Canada, law enforcement agencies are observing similar trends. Sgt. Ryan Ferry of the Edmonton Police Service, also a western director for the Organization for National Gang Information and Awareness, highlighted outlaw motorcycle gangs as a significant national policing concern. These groups, distinguished by their criminal ties and use of fear and intimidation, pose a threat to public safety and engage in various criminal activities.
Ferry cautioned against underestimating the risks associated with outlaw motorcycle clubs, emphasizing the potential for criminal involvement and violence. He warned that individuals attracted to the social aspects of biker culture could easily become entangled in criminal networks, risking extortion, threats, or victimization. Many individuals who join such lifestyles ultimately regret their decisions due to the hardships and consequences involved.
