TOY RUN DRAWS USUAL OVERKILL BY COPS
Hell's Angels toy drive prompts increased police presence
Posted: Dec 9, 2007 09:21 PM
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Reported By: Amy Andrews
Local law enforcement agencies were out in full force Sunday to keep an eye on the 1st Annual Hell's Angels Central Coast Toy Run.
The bikers started out in Paso Robles and made stops in Atascadero, Los Osos and ended the run in Morro Bay.
Dozens of Harley Davidsons roared through the Central Coast, bringing with them the promise of a brighter holiday for kids in need.
"Some of your bigger cities have bigger organizations that donate at Christmas time and maybe some of these smaller towns don't. So I think when you do it in a smaller community like this one it makes more of an impact," said Santa Barbara Hell's Angel Chapter Vice President Mike Lynch.
Lynch says he wishes the focus of the event would stay on the charity aspect and not the reputation of the outlaw motorcycle gang.
"When the motorcyclists get together I don't think there's any reason to panic. I think you should congratulate them and thank them for what they donate to the community," said Lynch.
When the bikers gathered in Paso Robles Sunday morning they were greeted by a rather large police presence.
"There was probably about 50, 60 guys and I saw a tank, a helicopter and it was a little bit overkill," said Lynch.
A CHP helicopter along with undercover officers tracked their every move as they made their way down the Central Coast.
"Our special problems unit has been coordinating with Paso Robles police, Atascadero police and Morro Bay, in response to the Hell's Angels Toy Run," said Sergeant Brian Beetham of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department.
The Sheriff's Department says given the history of violence associated with Hell's Angels and the large numbers of motorcycles on the road, it was their duty to take every action necessary to keep the public safe.
The Hell's Angels were involved in a brawl in 2002 that left 3 dead at a Laughlin, Nevada casino.
In 1969, four people died at concert in Altamont here in California. The Hell's Angels were in charge of crowd control there.
STORY SOURCE(click here)
Posted: Dec 9, 2007 09:21 PM
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Reported By: Amy Andrews
Local law enforcement agencies were out in full force Sunday to keep an eye on the 1st Annual Hell's Angels Central Coast Toy Run.
The bikers started out in Paso Robles and made stops in Atascadero, Los Osos and ended the run in Morro Bay.
Dozens of Harley Davidsons roared through the Central Coast, bringing with them the promise of a brighter holiday for kids in need.
"Some of your bigger cities have bigger organizations that donate at Christmas time and maybe some of these smaller towns don't. So I think when you do it in a smaller community like this one it makes more of an impact," said Santa Barbara Hell's Angel Chapter Vice President Mike Lynch.
Lynch says he wishes the focus of the event would stay on the charity aspect and not the reputation of the outlaw motorcycle gang.
"When the motorcyclists get together I don't think there's any reason to panic. I think you should congratulate them and thank them for what they donate to the community," said Lynch.
When the bikers gathered in Paso Robles Sunday morning they were greeted by a rather large police presence.
"There was probably about 50, 60 guys and I saw a tank, a helicopter and it was a little bit overkill," said Lynch.
A CHP helicopter along with undercover officers tracked their every move as they made their way down the Central Coast.
"Our special problems unit has been coordinating with Paso Robles police, Atascadero police and Morro Bay, in response to the Hell's Angels Toy Run," said Sergeant Brian Beetham of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department.
The Sheriff's Department says given the history of violence associated with Hell's Angels and the large numbers of motorcycles on the road, it was their duty to take every action necessary to keep the public safe.
The Hell's Angels were involved in a brawl in 2002 that left 3 dead at a Laughlin, Nevada casino.
In 1969, four people died at concert in Altamont here in California. The Hell's Angels were in charge of crowd control there.
STORY SOURCE(click here)
posted by Demo at Monday, December 10, 2007
<< Home