The Province is providing a forfeited vehicle to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit - British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) to help them get the message across to youth that being involved in crime and gangs can hurt your loved ones, land you in jail, and shorten your life.

B.C.'s Civil Forfeiture Office has provided a 2009 BMW X5 Sport Utility Vehicle, which was used to traffic illegal drugs in its previous life, to the CFSEU-BC, an integrated team focused on combating gangs and organized crime. The vehicle is being unveiled tonight at Rogers Arena prior to a Vancouver Canucks game.

The SUV, which has been wrapped with a "skin" of graphics and messaging, will be used for the next two years as a rolling billboard to engage the public at local schools and community events and help draw people into important conversations with officers. The powerful messaging on the vehicle proclaims "End gang life" and ties in with the CFSEU-BC's new, high-profile campaign unveiled last month.

Following up on a commitment made last year, access to the vehicle was made possible through the government's successful civil forfeiture program which continues to undermine the profit motive behind unlawful activity by taking away the tools and proceeds of crime.

Quotes:

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton -

"This eye-catching vehicle will serve as a valuable tool to bring young people into contact with CFSEU-BC officers. Ensuring those at risk of involvement are aware of the dangers and helping them to build positive connections in their lives are critical to combating gangs and organized crime. When young people feel linked to their families, communities, schools, job prospects and opportunities to succeed in life, they're that much more resistant to a life of crime."

Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit-British Columbia chief superintendent Dan Malo -

"This vehicle's history and bold graphics will help the CFSEU-BC engage youth and citizens in communities across British Columbia in our collective public education and gang prevention efforts to end gang life in our province. Gang life does not pay, and when you get involved with gangs you risk everything including your property, your life and even the lives of those closest to you."

Quick Facts:

• B.C.'s civil forfeiture program - the second-oldest of eight across Canada - works to suppress the profit motive that is behind much unlawful activity.
• Now seven years old, B.C.'s program has obtained forfeiture of approximately 200 vehicles - most with links to drug, gang or organized crime. Nearly all vehicles forfeited to government are sold via online auctions open to public bidding.
• The CFSEU-BC will cover all maintenance costs of the forfeited vehicle during the two-year period, after which it will be returned to the Province and sold via auction.
• In 2011, a forfeited Hummer was made available to the Abbotsford Police Department to be used for its anti-gang public engagement campaign.
• Since the Civil Forfeiture Office (CFO) became active in 2006, it has taken in approximately $41 million, including $8.4 million last year and has returned more than $11 million from successful forfeiture actions in the form of grants to crime prevention programs, victims of fraud and phony investment schemes, and victim services programs.
• Of the nearly 1,900 cases police have referred to the civil forfeiture program, the CFO has acted on over 1,500. Of those, over 1,000 are concluded. Today, about 550 cases are ongoing or pending.
• The Province invests $22 million a year in combating gun, gangs and organized crime.
• The CFSEU-BC's campaign uses posters, radio and television ads, and public engagement at schools and community centres to encourage young people to stay out or get out of gangs and organized crime.

Learn More:

To learn more about the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit-British Columbia's "End Gang Life" campaign, visit: http://cfseu.bc.ca/en/end-gang-life

To access photos of the BMW in its new anti-gang wrap, visit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/12091166543/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/12090861095/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/12091245364/

All vehicles liquidated by the CFO are clearly identified as forfeited assets in the related auction listings. The auction website is: www.bcauction.ca

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 213-3602