West Vancouver Police have unveiled an initiative aimed at keeping any gang associated problems away from local licensed establishments.

West Vancouver Patrol officers initiated "Operation Safeguard" early this year after WVPD patrol team members noted increasing numbers of known gang members and associates attending bars, lounges and restaurants on the North Shore, attempting to avoid pressure applied at downtown nightclubs by Integrated Gang Violence Suppression Initiatives.

West Vancouver Police adapted key elements of the successful Barwatch program to actively search out known gang members and associates and remove them from licensed establishments. However, with the mix of licensed liquor serving premises in West Vancouver "Operation Safeguard" has expanded the scope of the program beyond bars to any interested liquor serving premise.

West Vancouver Police obtain signed letters of authorization from participating liquor serving premises authorizing police to remove from the owner's property any individuals associated to violent criminal activity, having known gang associations or who actively pose a public safety concern.

The program takes the onus for removal of unwanted gang related individuals off management and staff and thereby reduces their risk of exposure to gang intimidation.

WVPD officers attend licensed establishments in West Vancouver on any given night of the week to ensure that there are no known gang members or their associates within these premises.

Active participants in OPERATION SAFEGUARD will have a clear logo placed at the entrance to notify the public of the initiative.