BC Creates a Special Homicide Unit as Gangs Involved in 46 Percent of Murders

British Columbia is forming a specialized gang-related homicideinvestigation team, saying gangland murders now make up almost 50 percent of the killings in the province. Data from the Ministry of Public Safety says gang-related homicides have climbed from 21 percent of all killings in the province in 2003 to 46 percent last year. Mike Farnworth, B.C.’s public safety minister and solicitor general, says the new Integrated Gang Homicide Team will investigate gang-connected murders. He says the 18-member team is expected to be in full operation by late this year or early 2025. Members of the gang homicide unit will become part of the Lower Mainland’s RCMP-led Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, but will focus on gang cases....