Gun violence is on the rise in Calgary, but here's how the organized crime landscape has changed
CBC
When a stray bullet recently hit the Calgary Police Service District 6 office, it was one of 60 shots fired at a scene just down the road and one of two daylight shootings that took place within hours of each other and which investigators have connected to organized crime.
The brazenness of that scenario is symbolic of the escalating organized crime gun violence playing out on Calgary streets this year.
From January to June, Calgary saw 63 shootings — double the five year average over the same time period, according to statistics provided by the Calgary Police Service (CPS).
CPS says it has added staff and reorganized units to prioritize the "reckless" gun violence.
So far in 2022, CPS officials say five people have been killed in connection with organized crime.
And while police use words like "organized crime," "groups," "networks," and "allegiances," they are loath to use the term "gang war."
That's partly because "gang" isn't the term used in the Criminal Code and partly because this time around, once airtight allegiances are much more fluid, says Insp. Jodi Gach with CPS's organized crime section.
"It's not the same as it used to be; before you would see conflict between two groups, so you were either on side or you were on Side A or Side B. That's not the way it is right now," says Gache.
"Historically, allegiances didn't change as much as what we're currently seeing."
One police officer who's been involved in these investigations said group members are known to "change sides within a week."
"They double-cross and flip flop," said the officer, who is not authorized to speak on behalf of CPS.
"It's tough to stay ahead of these guys."
The fluidity of the groups adds an "extreme complexity" to investigations, says Gach.
Conflicts are sparked for a number of reasons, explains the inspector. There are the traditional battles involving drug distribution networks and greed. And then, Gach says, there are the personal conflicts.
This story is part of CBC Health's Second Opinion, a weekly analysis of health and medical science news emailed to subscribers on Saturday mornings. If you haven't subscribed yet, you can do that by clicking here.
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