Pubdate: Mon, 26 Jun 2006
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 The Windsor Star
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: Dalson Chen
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?188 (Outlaw Bikers)

TIGHT REIN ON BIKERS PAYS OFF, POLICE SAY

Problems 'Minimal'

Fireworks and heavy metal music spiced a weekend gathering of the 
Hells Angels motorcycle club that police say left the Windsor area unscathed.

An early Saturday brawl outside a west-end strip club resulted in the 
only four arrests of the weekend.

"It's not anti-climactic whatsoever," said Insp. Jerome Brannagan of 
Windsor police, who helped manage a joint forces operation that kept 
watch over the notorious motorcycle gang.

"We view it as we were very successful in the operation by having the 
public feel it was a non-event."

Hundreds of Hells Angels from across Canada were expected as the 
bikers gathered at their Howard Avenue clubhouse in Amherstburg to 
mark the fifth anniversary of their move into central Canada.

Brannagan said there were "minimal problems" from the Hells Angels on 
Saturday night, which was anticipated to be the biggest party night 
for the group's assembled members, prospective members and associates.

"By all accounts, they were very well maintained," Brannagan said.

The loudest action came from a 10-minute fireworks display and live 
rock music courtesy of an AC/DC cover band.

The OPP Biker Enforcement Unit maintained a presence across the road 
from the clubhouse, observing a steady flow of vehicles come and go 
from the compound gates.

But by 10:30 p.m. only four BEU officers remained posted.

Interaction between bikers and police in front of the property was 
minimal, and Brannagan said communication with Hells Angels 
representatives "didn't happen to the degree we had hoped."

Just after the fireworks, an unidentified biker preparing to leave 
the compound taunted BEU officers, saying, "You think you'd have the 
sense enough to bring a chair."

Sunday afternoon, the visiting bikers were already beginning their exodus.

"We're satisfied from a policing standpoint," Brannagan said. "We 
wanted the citizens of this city and area to feel safe and secure. As 
well, we wanted to send a message to the Hells Angels that we were 
here in number."

Brannagan said a number of tickets were issued, mostly for traffic infractions.

The sizable police presence, that included officers from out of 
province, had at least one citizen wondering if it was all worth it.

"What did it cost the taxpayers for this police presence?" said a 
60-year-old property owner who lives near the Hells Angels' 
clubhouse. "I don't know what they accomplished by being here, other 
than traffic control."

Ray, who didn't want his full name published, said he's gotten to 
know those at the clubhouse, even visiting the premises and sharing 
in some conversation over a beer.

"They're definitely good neighbours," Ray said. "They're just like 
you and I are. We talked truck-driving, building things -- work."

As for the Saturday night festivities across the street, Ray said he 
enjoyed being near them, and even held a matching party on his own 
property for family and friends.

"The fireworks were awesome," Ray said. "The kids loved it. They were 
just ecstatic."

Brannagan defended the scope of the police operation, and maintained 
that police believe the purpose of the gathering was for the Hells 
Angels to discuss criminal business.

"It's our understanding that they're an organized crime group that 
does meet to do business," Brannagan said. "As much as they want to 
portray themselves otherwise, the vast majority of their membership 
are people with significant criminal records."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman