Off the Wire News
MCs in the News The small army of extra law enforcement personnel that is planned to be utilized during an expected Hells Angels Motorcycle Club visit this summer will come with a price tag.
The City of Gunnison will be left with the tab for room and board of additional officers, as well as training and preparation leading up to the event ” expecting to run the city, in total, about $32,625.
Law enforcement planning to date, according to Gunnison Police Chief Keith Robinson, calls for between 150 and 200 officers working cooperatively in Gunnison and Hinsdale counties under an œarea command structure. Additional support for fire and ambulance services are also part of planning efforts.
The Hells Angels rode into Gunnison during the summer of 2002 for their annual œUSA Run, the same reason for their visit this summer. Many credited a strong law enforcement presence then for the relatively quiet visit.
Similar to 2002, under a mutual aid agreement, the city will have to pay some of the additional officers™ expenses while they™re here (including workers™ compensation insurance), but the officers™ home agency is expected to pay wages.
Robinson has reported that the main group of Hell™s Angels members ” estimated between 450 and 500 ” is expected to arrive in Gunnison July 28 and leave Aug. 1. A œset up crew is expected to arrive earlier, on Sunday, July 25.
This time around, the motorcycle club is expected to make their base the Affordable Inn east of Gunnison, at Tomichi Village. œThe (hotel) ... is 100 percent booked with permission granted to pitch their event tent, Robinson wrote in a memo to City Council recently.
Plans have changed for at least one other local event as a result of the expected Hells Angels visit.
Upon learning of the anticipated motorcycle rally, part-time Gunnison County resident Sue Anne Wilson changed the dates for the Gunnison Grand Western Terrier Trials.
Wilson, chair and sponsor of the event, moved the dog show from the last weekend in July to the first, July 3-4.
œI didn™t want to stress the community out more than they are, she explained, adding that the reason the event was planned for late July and early August this year is because it™s generally a slower time for business, which she wanted to help support.
The change of dates has meant reproducing some awards for the terrier trials and the loss of one high-profile judge, Wilson said.
œI know if I was planning to go to a terrier trial and I knew there was a rally like that within a hundred miles, I wouldn™t be going, she added.
The annual Crested Butte Art Festival is planned for July 31-Aug. 1, as well.
Robinson reported that he™s currently working with local law enforcement agencies that are expected to provide assistance during this summer™s Hells Angels visit, but has notified other agencies statewide that the city is seeking support.
He said he™s begun arranging housing with Western State College, where officers also will be fed.
Robinson said that a series of public presentations, beginning in March, to help answer questions from the community are also being planned.
œAlmost everything mirrors 2002 ” both in (the Hell™s Angels™) preparation and in ours, said Robinson.
How the city will pay for additional law enforcement is somewhat up in the air.
œWe™ll absorb the cost into our current budget as much as possible, said City Manager Ken Coleman. œIn the end there will probably be a request for supplemental appropriations. That™s the reality. This is a losing proposition.
Gunnison County Sheriff Rick Murdie said that he™s talked with Robinson about handling housing costs for additional officers similar to that of 2002. According to Robinson™s early budget, the county would cover half of those housing costs, which would mean a potential contribution by the county of about $13,525.
Murdie indicated that it™s too early to say exactly where in the budget a possible county contribution might come.
Robinson explained that he™s trying to ward off other possible conflicts as a result of the Hells Angels visit.
œWe are hearing there are other motorcycle groups coming, he said. œWe need to contact them, find out if they™re who they say they are and do they know what they™re getting into. A (Honda) Goldwing group coming to town that weekend would be something we™d like to know about ahead of time.
(Will Shoemaker can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or will@gunnisontimes.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Original article...
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