Surrey bars and restaurants move to lock out gang members

Surrey bars and restaurants are teaming up with the RCMP to keep suspected gang members from their premises.

Eight businesses have signed upfor the initial launch of Surrey's Inadmissible Patrons Program, which allows RCMPunder the B.C. Trespass Act to conduct bar checks and boot out anyone with ties to organized crime.

The businesses will all display logos on their windows. Theprogram will also expand to major public events in Surrey and possibly other future businesses, RCMP said.

The program signalsto gang members that they're not welcome in Surrey, saidRCMPAssistant Commissioner Dwayne McDonald.

"This program is deisgned to be subtle," said McDonald. "It's not designed for people to come in and drag people out of restaurants and cause any commotionor sceneor embarrassment."

The program was modelled after the Vancouver Police Department's Restaurant Watch Program.

Curbing gang violence

The city has struggled with ongoing gang violence, including two teens who werekilledin a targetedshooting over the summer.

The program is basedon recommendations from acity task force report on gang violence prevention released last July.

Similar programs already exist in the Lower Mainland andKelowna.Kamloopsjustlaunchedits own version last week.

The programs have helped limit gang members access to popular bars and restaurants, the report said.

"In turn, the glamour of gang life is diminished, and the community reinforces that gang behaviours will not be tolerated."