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Wednesday, June 20, 2012 | 2 a.m.
Members of the Mongols Motorcycle Club lined the back wall of city hall in Boulder City on Tuesday evening, arms folded and sunglasses donned.
They listened to Police Chief Thomas Finn address dozens of concerned citizens. It wasn’t surprising that some bikers were in attendance; the meeting, after all, was about them.
Word that the motorcycle club had chosen Boulder City as the site for its three-day national club meeting — set for this weekend — had raised a few eyebrows. Residents packed the meeting to air concerns about noise levels, traffic and parking issues, and, yes, public safety.
Those worries are understandable, especially given the motorcycle club's recent history of violence in Southern Nevada.
In 2002, Mongol members got into a nasty spat with members of a rival club, the Hells Angels, while at Harrah’s casino in Laughlin. More than 60 bikers joined the clash, brandishing guns and knives. By the end of the evening, three people (two Hells Angels and one Mongol) were dead. Another altercation between the groups took place at a downtown Las Vegas wedding chapel in 2008.
Finn aimed to ease the minds of those in attendance, promising a bulked-up police presence. He said local, state and federal officers would be pitching in this weekend to ensure the event goes smoothly.
“We’re not going to put our heads in the sand and hope things don’t go bad,” Finn said. “We’re prepared for the worst-case scenario and hoping for the best.”
The police chief said the worst-case scenario wouldn't involve actions of the Mongol group itself, but the potential repercussions "if a rival club were to get involved."
Surprisingly, much of the chatter filling the town hall was upbeat.
“We’ve received very positive feedback,” said Stephen Stubbs, the lawyer representing the Mongols Motorcycle Club for the Nevada chapter. “I’ve had a sweet old lady who called me offering to baby-sit some of the members kids while they’re here. I had another person, an official from Lake Mead, who called and wanted me to remind the members to stay hydrated.”
According to Stubbs, there had been some complaints, but they were outnumbered by positive remarks about the bikers' visit. Stubbs also said Mongols from the Nevada chapter had been coming to the Boulder City area for decades.
Although Boulder City might seem like an odd site for a biker gathering, Stubbs said the town is a draw for various reason.
“Some wanted to rent a boat and go out on Lake Mead. Others have wives who wanted to check out the shopping in town.”
The potential economic impact the bikers could bring might be why some residents are optimistic about this weekend.
“We’ll serve them the best food we possibly can!” said Cindy Ford, a Boulder City resident and owner of the Southwest Diner.
Ford was delighted to hear the bikers will be cruising into town, arriving en masse on Friday, because of the boost to local businesses, she said.
“I think you should treat someone with respect, which I do with all my customers,” said Ford. “I hope I’m not being naïve about this. There’s bad apples in every group — you could even find some bad apples from right here in Boulder City.”
One Mongol, who goes by the nickname Blanco, sought to reassure residents with a promise.
“We will respect the city and leave it cleaner than when we found it,” he said.
i would post this as trusted but dont want to be murdered nice write up about how meth dealing gangs are nice and will bring you money go ahead and shake the devils hand after event no more tourists now that its known as a Mongol hangout not to mention property values dropping some more.
and sneaking in the back-door and using a lawyer to say high well cockroaches do that to
This is totally bizarro world. Boulder City petitions to keep tourists and truckers out of their city when the Dam traffic backed up......but they welcome the Mongols with open arms????
Must be nice living in Mayberry.
I saw in a different forum where Mr. Stubbs defends his involvement with the Mongols by stating that the Mongols involved in the Laughlin incident were no longer affiliated with the Club. Good to know Mr. Stubbs..... lol
I suggest they stop by the Boulder City Brewery. Excellent pub fare and beers. Outdoor seating..or indoor and the staff is extremely friendly.
As long as they respect the town and have made assurances there will not be trouble....live and let live. Welcome.
'Hey, Martha! The Mongols is comin'...
Lay out the good china!
"Mongols members have had long-running confrontations with law enforcement in such areas as drug dealing (especially methamphetamine), money laundering, robbery, extortion, firearms violations, murder, and assault, among other crimes".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongols_(mo...)
Awww, ain't they cute! They's all wearin' PATCHES, like the Boy Scouts, er sumpthin'!
Wonder what they done to git em...like that there 1%'er patch... are they ALL RICH?
I dont think turning Boulder City into a biker gang hang out is a good ideal. I'll bet that pub row downtown there, is going to come to a screeching halt !
Garbage in Garbage out that is what you get here. Lets see extra cost for police protection a damage reputation for the city and all for a weekend of suppose $$ revenue for some businesses. Makes no sense. Where does everyone think these people get their money from a flower shop they work in.
I think the members showed up to intimidate not to listed. They should name the weekend : WELCOME ALL TRASH, HIDE THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
They are not good people
Has any one ask Laughlin, how much cleaner
their town was after the Mongols visit?? They didn't
come by their name by Accident!
This is the United States of America and the Mongols are free to visit any city they choose. It was considerate of them to meet with the police and take questions from the residents because they didn't have to do either one. They had no problem finding a place willing to rent them hotel rooms and it appears the business owners are looking forward to the patronage.
I am aware of the Mongols' past but they voted out their troublemaking leader (who has since gone to prison) and they claim to have cleaned up their act. Supposedly none of the current members of the Las Vegas chapter have criminal records.
They have agreed to mostly walk to local establishments from their hotel and have even agreed to remove their "cuts" if requested.
I understand the misgivings but so far the Mongols have gone out of their way to address the concerns of Boulder City. In my opinion,the fact that they are bringing their wives and children shows they have no bad intentions.
I think it is sad that so many people are gleefully posting hateful, intolerant comments. Seems like some readers might have a case of xenophobia.
This is not the Harley Owners Group (HOG). This is not some patched up touring club. This is really serious and BC's acceptance is extremely naive.
"I think it is sad that so many people are gleefully posting hateful, intolerant comments."
BrookeLogan -- excellent post
"...how little does the common herd know of the nature of right and truth." - Socrates in Plato's "Euthyphro" (399 B.C.E.?)
They seem intent on making sure everything stays cool. I really can't understand the vitriol. I might just go to BoulderCity this weekend and survey the scene. Unless these individuals are wanted, warrants, etc...let them be. No rival biker clubs should be there. I predict it wil be a calm weekend and good for local business. The only issue they have is there is a lot of road construction going on down the main drag..not conducive to walking at all. It's a giant dust bowl.
You don't think that the Mongols will be there
alone? The HAs will be there and also the Vagos
wouldn't miss it for anything. Sleep tight?
Hell's Angels and Vagos will not be there. Saying that is just trying to create hysteria and fear...and is also very irresponsible.
TomD,
How do you know the HA's and/or the Vagos will not be there?
Can I borrow your rose-colored glasses?
This motorcycle club can visit any city they choose. Guess if you don't like it you can stay home this weekend and hide under your bed..