OFF THE WIRE
This won't be on the media Minipulated News at 5pm
But shows you need not be a member of a minority race
to be profiled and discriminated against
this is just a one piece family club
wanting to celebrate its 1 year anniversary
The weekend of April 17, 2010 should have been a time of celebration for
Downaz Ridaz M.C. Instead, it was filled with chaos and confusion for members
and guests of the club’s scheduled activities commemorating the first
anniversary of the Las Vegas Chapter.
With a "Meet and Greet" at the clubhouse on North Pecos Rd. scheduled for
Friday night to kick off the weekend, the club members took extra steps to
ensure that none of the activity could be misconstrued as illegal or negligent
in any way. After repeated visits by a representative of the North Las Vegas
Business License Division and several officers from the North Las Vegas Police
Department in the weeks leading up to the event, the club (which functions as a
community support group and lends help to several charity organizations) was
well aware that no food or beverages could be sold without proper licensing. It
was stated that alcohol was allowed to be kept on the premises for consumption
by club members, as long as it was not sold.
The "Meet and Greet" was promoted as a free event, open to all in the
motorcycling community. Complimentary sodas, water, and food prepared by members
and friends was offered to guests at no charge. The party carried a "casino"
theme, and decorations included gaming tables and plastic chips. It was made
clear to all that no illegal gambling was to take place. The games were for
decoration and entertainment only. Having witnessed first-hand the recent events
involving the treatment of local riders, the club members took all necessary
steps to keep the event organized and orderly.
At approximately 9:30pm on Friday, with a small number of guests having
arrived at the party and members of other clubs beginning to show up,
approximately 25 uniformed and undercover officers from the North Las Vegas
Police Department’s gang unit, S.W.A.T., and representatives from the Business
License Division and Nevada Gaming Control Board swarmed the gathering,
immediately ordering guests to leave and announcing that "the party is over".
Two members who were directing traffic at the entrance to the parking lot, in an
effort to promote the safety of riders entering the property, were placed in
handcuffs and accused of illegally working as security officers without proper
work cards. Several other members were also placed into custody and held on the
premises while the representatives from the Business License Division and the
Gaming Control Board, with the assistance of the North Las Vegas Police
Department, began to confiscate and dispose of all alcohol, soda, water, and
food inside the clubhouse. While members were cuffed and detained for three
hours inside, the ticket books came out and several fines were issued. Gaming
Control found no evidence of gambling taking place, and witnesses stated that it
had been verbally expressed that the games were for decoration only. One
gentleman, who had stepped out of his business a few doors down to see what was
going on, was also placed into custody for having an "open container". He was
drinking Coca Cola and had it in a plastic cup with ice.
After hours of writing and questioning several members of the club, including
the President and Secretary, all of those in handcuffs were systematically
loaded into the back seats of the patrol cars outside. No Miranda rights were
issued, and at no time was anyone formally placed under arrest.
As officers were beginning to leave the property, one rider entered the
parking lot and proceeded to drive around to the front of the clubhouse. As he
approached, a hooded undercover officer, without identifying himself as a police
officer, stepped into the rider’s path and yelled an order to stop. The rider
swerved to the right to avoid the unidentified officer, and as he passed, the
officer withdrew his handgun. With the rider to his left and still in motion,
the officer reached out and grabbed the rider by the shirt, jerking him off of
his bike and onto the ground. Several other officers rushed over to assist in
subduing a stunned and potentially injured rider while repeating, "Stop
resisting!"
All 7 in custody were transported to the North Las Vegas Detention Center, on
N. Las Vegas Blvd., arriving at approximately 1:00am. Joe Patterson, owner of
"Free At Last Bail Bonds", was contacted immediately and made aware of the
situation. By 7:00am on Saturday morning, bail had been arranged for most of the
members in custody. However, bond could not be posted, as the files on the
members were routinely "shuffled to the bottom the stack" each time they were to
be processed by the jail’s administrators. Several friends and family members of
the detained riders tried vigorously throughout the night to gain information,
only to be given conflicting updates and stories each time they called. None of
the members in custody were given information about what charges they were being
held on or the status of their cases. By 4:30pm, the riders were finally
officially booked and bond was posted.
Saturday night’s Annual Dance was held at the Eagle’s Lodge (1601 E.
Washington Ave.), and despite several members still being held in the Detention
Center, the party was a huge success. Many in attendance stated that it was the
biggest and best annual celebration they had ever attended. An estimated 250 or
more bikes were in the parking lot, with a constant police presence in the area.
There were no security issues whatsoever, and everyone had a great time.
Trophies were handed out for categories such as "Most Rep MC", "Longest Distance
Traveled", and "Most Rep Social Club", as well as several plaques showing
appreciation of support by other clubs. Sunday’s "International Buffet" themed
brunch was cancelled.
Most of the riders in custody were released at approximately 6:30am on Sunday
morning. Upon release, they were issued citations for charges ranging from
"Working without valid work cards" to "Operating a business without a license".
Members were told that printed flyers are not considered a legal form of
communicating information about a public gathering, as a charge of "Advertising
without a license" was also added.
Fines total into the tens of thousands. The effects of being detained for an
extended amount of time have even caused some members to have their careers put
in jeopardy, as well as the loss of time with friends and family. To add insult
to injury, policies at the North Las Vegas Detention Center dictate that monies
confiscated upon entry are returned in the form of pre-paid credit cards which
carry extremely high fees and make recovery of the cash difficult. The club is
currently being advised by legal council.
The bottom line – North Las Vegas PD has made it clear to the motorcycling
community that bikers are not welcome. They may be harassed, followed, put under
surveillance, or jailed without reasonable cause and held for the maximum amount
of time before being charged. They do not distinguish between "Family clubs",
"Riding clubs", or other types of organizations. If you have a patch, you’re a
target
