Editorial: More police may save River Run

Thursday, April 24, 2003 | 9:30 a.m.

The 21st annual River Run, a motorcycle rally which started Wednesday and lasts through Sunday, will attract 10 times as many people as the population of its host city, Laughlin. About 100 miles south of Las Vegas, Laughlin is generally a quiet little gambling town, about as quiet as the Colorado River which separates it from Arizona. This time every April, however, motorcycle enthusiasts ride into town, attracting widespread attention and spending lots of money. A total of 80,000 riders are expected at this year's rally and they are projected to leave behind about $25 million.

While the River Run has established a good reputation overall because most riders take part only for fun, last year's rally demonstrated its potential for violence. A fight between rival motorcycle gangs at Harrah's Laughlin left three members dead and 12 others injured. It was the worst violence ever in a Nevada casino and the first time the River Run had been associated with anything more than minor rowdyism. That incident, which was followed by more biker-gang violence in other areas, has led to increased security.

Last year Metro Police assigned 145 officers to River Run duty. This year 500 officers have been assigned, with 200 of them operating undercover for early detection of any brewing tensions. The hotels and promoter are paying for the extra police, a fair answer to the alternative of canceling the rally. We want to see the River Run tradition continue. We also would like to see the private financing of extra police become a tradition.