Hannah Baker
rapidcityjournal.com
Often, when locals and visitors enter Sturgis, they can have the mindset that anything goes. However, authorities, such as Chief Deputy Tom Wilts of the Meade County Sheriff's Office, are here to say that isn't exactly the case.
Wilts said that although authorities want people to have a good time at the Sturgis motorcycle rally, safety comes first.
"Our biggest thing is that people who come are decent to one another and have a good time, but that they also understand that if they cross the line we will have to deal with them," said Wilts. "We'll be fair and professional, but we would rather they just not cross the line."
Wilts said some of the issues typically dealt with at the rally are indecent exposure, disorderly conduct and open containers.
To avoid indecent exposure, women - at all times - must wear at least a bikini top or pasties on their upper body. Men and women must also wear the appropriate bottom coverage, said Wilts.
Although the police may be monitoring to make sure clothes are covering specific areas of the body, Wilts said authorities have no control over the content featured on shirts regardless of whether it has a picture or an explicit phrases.
"That comes down to freedom of speech," said Wilts. "Truth is, we aren't going to stop people from wearing certain shirts. If there's someone who doesn't want to see certain things, then it's their responsibility to make sure they don't expose themselves to certain places during the rally."
Another rule people forget about is that eye protection must be wore while riding a motorcycle, Wilts said.
"This is one people forget a lot," said Wilts. "Unless they have a windshield on their bike, people need to wear eye protection at all times on their bikes or they have a chance of getting stopped for it."
Wilts said often when someone is pulled over, it leads to those people getting caught for drinking and driving.
"We will be monitoring drinking and driving relentlessly," said Wilts. "We sometimes see the horrific outcome after someone is unsafe and had been drinking and driving. Sure, you can have an honest accident where a biker gets hits, but the result is always horrific."
Overall, Wilts said the rules are in place to enhance the safety of visitors so not only will they come to Sturgis safely, but they will also leave safely.
"The rally usually runs pretty smoothly for how big it is, and we just want to make sure that everyone has a good time and that nothing terrible happens because they were doing something they shouldn't have," said Wilts. "We just want people to do the best they can to follow rules and enjoy their vacation, so they can get home safe after."
Wilts said that although authorities want people to have a good time at the Sturgis motorcycle rally, safety comes first.
"Our biggest thing is that people who come are decent to one another and have a good time, but that they also understand that if they cross the line we will have to deal with them," said Wilts. "We'll be fair and professional, but we would rather they just not cross the line."
Wilts said some of the issues typically dealt with at the rally are indecent exposure, disorderly conduct and open containers.
To avoid indecent exposure, women - at all times - must wear at least a bikini top or pasties on their upper body. Men and women must also wear the appropriate bottom coverage, said Wilts.
Although the police may be monitoring to make sure clothes are covering specific areas of the body, Wilts said authorities have no control over the content featured on shirts regardless of whether it has a picture or an explicit phrases.
"That comes down to freedom of speech," said Wilts. "Truth is, we aren't going to stop people from wearing certain shirts. If there's someone who doesn't want to see certain things, then it's their responsibility to make sure they don't expose themselves to certain places during the rally."
Another rule people forget about is that eye protection must be wore while riding a motorcycle, Wilts said.
"This is one people forget a lot," said Wilts. "Unless they have a windshield on their bike, people need to wear eye protection at all times on their bikes or they have a chance of getting stopped for it."
Wilts said often when someone is pulled over, it leads to those people getting caught for drinking and driving.
"We will be monitoring drinking and driving relentlessly," said Wilts. "We sometimes see the horrific outcome after someone is unsafe and had been drinking and driving. Sure, you can have an honest accident where a biker gets hits, but the result is always horrific."
Overall, Wilts said the rules are in place to enhance the safety of visitors so not only will they come to Sturgis safely, but they will also leave safely.
"The rally usually runs pretty smoothly for how big it is, and we just want to make sure that everyone has a good time and that nothing terrible happens because they were doing something they shouldn't have," said Wilts. "We just want people to do the best they can to follow rules and enjoy their vacation, so they can get home safe after."
Read more: http://rapidcityjournal.com/sturgisrallydaily/what-you-can-can-t-do-while-at-the-rally/article_98875c26-beda-11e0-999c-001cc4c03286.html#ixzz1UGhx6ghM
