BY DANIELLE BELL, NANAIMO DAILY NEWS MARCH 30, 2011
NANAIMO — Dozens of people with connections to gangs or organized crime attended a mixed martial arts event in Nanaimo on the weekend, say police.
Specialized gang task force officers were requested by Nanaimo RCMP to the Battlefield Fight League Invasion 7 MMA event at Frank Crane Arena on Saturday. Police claim the sport is known to attract gangsters.
It is believed to be the first MMA event on Vancouver Island that was attended by the uniformed gang task force, a section under the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit based out of Vancouver.
Police said as many as 50 people associated to gangs or organized crime, specifically outlaw motorcycle groups, were identified at the fights, which drew approximately 2,100 fans from the Island and Vancouver.
Officers were there for violence suppression, to develop intelligence and send a message to gangsters they are being watched. Police have monitored other sporting events but say MMA, which draws a wide fan base but especially younger men, tends to attract people with ties to organized crime.
The night went smoothly, but police say violence can occur anywhere people involved in criminal activity gather.
City officials will meet next week with Battlefield president Jay Golshani, who has plans for another MMA bout in May.
"I have no concerns. Police do their job and we do ours and so far it's gone fine," said Nanaimo Coun. Merv Unger, also on the athletic commission. "Our job is to look after the participants, not spectators. That is a policing job and whatever they do I would not comment."
Gang task force officers were in Nanaimo as early as Thursday, with eight officers patrolling the MMA event and later the downtown Nanaimo bar scene with local RCMP. Organized crime is not restricted to the Lower Mainland, with gang activity migrating to the Island. Police have identified people with links to street gangs such as the Independent Soldiers and United Nations in Nanaimo.
"We know gang members and organized crime members frequent MMA. Certainly we did run across individuals known to us," said CFSEU spokesman Sgt. Shinder Kirk. "Most people are there for the event itself but having said that, we have seen that situations between rival groups can occur at any place."
Older patrons and children were among fans at the all-ages, alcohol-free event, which ran past midnight, but the majority of the crowd were men aged 18 to 35, according to the Vancouver-based promoter.
"It's just a misconception. There's no gang ties to our show," said Golshani. "We have never had a single issue with any of our fans getting denied or kicked out."
Last year, an MMA trade show scheduled for Abbotsford was forced to move after police expressed concern about potential gang violence.
DBell@nanaimodailynews.com250-729-4255
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist
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