Toronto police say they have a “solid” plan to control and minimize disruptions to residents, businesses and roads caused by a trip and a memorial meeting of the Hells Angels in the far east of Toronto on Thursday.
Talking to the media outside of Toronto police headquarters late in the morning, the superintendent. Scott Baptiste, of the Traffic Services, said they have reported an “unpunished event” scheduled to begin around 11 a.m. tomorrow.
He said police expect a “large procession” of between 800 and 1,000 motorcyclists, most of whom are members of the Hells Angels, to leave Newmarket and head south along Don Valley Parkway before heading to east by Lake Shore Boulevard East and then north by Carlaw. Avenue.
“This procession will inevitably cause traffic disruptions in our city. We are working with other police services, including the OPP and the York Regional Police, to manage traffic and ensure public safety during this procession, ”Baptiste said.
“We have no information to indicate that they intend to do anything other than participate in the memorial trip, followed by the meeting in the city.”
The Hells Angels have a store at 98 Carlaw Ave., south of Eastern Avenue.
The motorcycle club center branch used to have a clubhouse just around the corner at 498 Eastern Ave, but this property was confiscated by the Crown in March 2007 after a series of mass arrests. The 30 “by 120” lot was sold in early 2016.
Baptiste said tomorrow’s meeting, which is being held in honor of a former unnamed Hells Angel and is separate from the club’s national trip scheduled for this weekend in the Whitby area, is expected to end At 5 pm.
Accordingly, he said drivers should expect traffic disruptions on the said roads from 11am to 12pm and 5pm to 6pm. Baptiste said there will also be traffic delays and roadblocks in the area of Carlaw and Eastern Avenues from 11 a.m. and throughout the afternoon.
People in the Leslieville area can expect to see a general increase in police presence on Thursday afternoon, as the 55th Division will establish a command post nearby.
“As with any large meeting in our city, TPS will have visible resources in the area to ensure public safety and to minimize disruptions and manage traffic problems,” Baptiste said.
People are advised to check for social media updates.
This weekend, up to 1,000 Hells Angels are expected to ride their motorcycles through Whitby for the club’s national motorcycle race.
Durham Regional Police held a press conference on Monday to “make sure our community knows and provides accurate information.”
Officials said they expect the three-day event to be “no events.”
“If you see a large group of motorcycles, riders outside the law of the motorcycle club, do not interact, keep your distance. Try to stay out of the motorcycle line and be safe, ”OPP Det / Insp. Said Scott Wade.
The annual meeting is organized by the Brooklyn-based Hells Angels Motorcycle Club chapter, north of Whitby, and runs July 22-24.
People should also expect to see a greater police presence in this area during the motorcycle race.
-with files by Phil Tsekouras