Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: Outlaw bikers now local problem

Friday, May 3, 2002 | 2:21 a.m.

Gary Wilbur writing in the Boulder City News told readers last week that the Metro Police stepped up enforcement for the 2002 River Run. What happened in Laughlin last Saturday night in Harrah's Casino Hotel demonstrated the need for the extra law enforcement presence.

Just a day earlier, news reports coming out of Los Angeles told of increasing gang violence in that area. It had subsided during recent years but again was becoming more evident in that city. No explanation came with these news reports, but the motorcycle gangs have never been far from gang trouble.

Saturday night it all spilled over into Laughlin, where three bikers were killed and another dozen were taken to hospitals for gunshot and knife wounds. The Hells Angels and Mongols had come to settle some scores to the detriment of several thousand peaceful River Run participants.

Many of us can recall the time when the motorcycles came to town and there was trouble. Loud mouths, leather jackets, shaggy hair and body odor headed by the biggest bully was their trademark. They roared into small towns and intimidated decent citizens who kept their children, wives and pets at home. Hells Angels eventually turned into a rather sophisticated criminal organization that earned big bucks for the gang members. Still other gangs came into being to compete with the use of muscle for ill-gotten gains.

During recent years the pressure from law enforcement agencies cooled down some of the criminal activity and many Americans began to believe that the old bikers were maturing or getting too old to carry on their illicit activities. Also thousands of law abiding decent Americans began to take to the road on motorcycles. Skilled workers, business and professional people joined together riding their bikes for the love of the outdoors. They also worked together to raise funds for worthy charities. Very simply, the shadow of the old bike gangs faded and the man or woman riding that big Harley could be a neighbor, mail carrier, judge, doctor or carpenter from down the street.

Were the small-time hoods always beneath the facade created by good people riding bikes for good times? It would be easy to make this assumption because a few bikers have always appeared to remain on the outside of civilized society. On the other hand, it would be unfair for so many biker groups to be thrown into the same pot as the troublemakers.

Maybe I have become a little defensive about some of the good guys who ride their bikes into town every year to enjoy the River Run gathering. This is because some of them I know are good citizens and they come to our home for their yearly visit.

So what now? Don Laughlin, hotel owner in the town with his name, told Los Angeles Times reporters that the River Run should continue. "It's just a matter of keeping the gangs out of town," is his solution. If Laughlin can explain to law enforcement how to keep the bad guys out, I'm sure they will listen.

USA Today reported: "In New York last month, 73 members of the Pagans were indicted on federal racketeering charges after a fatal brawl in February at a Hells Angels gathering in Plainview on Long Island.

"Also last month, authorities in Ventura, Calif., won drug convictions against the head of the Hells Angels chapter and about 20 other members.

"Last May more than 30 alleged Mongols were charged with an array of crimes in a nationwide sweep after a two-year investigation.

"Trials are under way in Montreal over a bloody, eight-year turf war between Hells Angels and rival gangs that has left more than 150 people dead, including 20 innocent civilians."

Laughlin and Nevada can't afford a repeat performance. It's now evident that not enough of the original outlaw bikers have matured or passed on to that motorcycle rally in the nether world. It's a shame that they have to spoil the good times and fun enjoyed by thousands of Americans who enjoy riding the highways and byways.