Police in the Vancouver area are forming a regional task force on gang violence in the wake of several high profile murders in the Lower Mainland.
"As we stand here today, we're united and we're on common ground -- and you can take that to the bank" said RCMP Assistant Commissioner Al McIntyre.
The regional task force team, called the "Violence Supression Team," will have jurisdiction throughout the Lower Mainland. It will be up and running by next Wednesday, and will include members from the VPD, the Mounties, and suburban police forces.
It's the second such task force to be set up this week, despite police telling residents they're not witnessing a gang war.
On Tuesday, the Vancouver Police Department set up its own gang task force.
The new effort against gangs in Greater Vancouver comes in the aftermath of a rash of violence throughout the region.
Four people were gunned down this week alone. Two men were killed after their car was boxed in by hitmen in the latest attack. Their SUV was sprayed with bullets.
This past weekend, another gang leader was shot and killed outside his home in an affluent part of the city.
Last month, six men, including two innocent victims, were killed in the Vancouver suburb of Surrey.
In addition to establishing a new gang task force, police are also hoping the recent rash of violence will send a message to young people thinking of joining gangs.
"To those who think that the gang lifestyle is appealing, looking at those two young men full of bullet holes, they didn't look glamorous at all," said VPD Deputy Chief Doug Lepard.
But some residents say it may be time to do more than just appeal to young people and set up task forces. There have been calls for a regionalized police force.
With reports from CTV British Columbia and The Canadian Press
