OFF THE WIRE
AN OUTLAW motorcycle club member claims police are wasting money carrying out large traffic operations that target organised charity rides.
Russell “Camel” Wattie, a former prisoner who ran for the Federal Senate last year, described as “over-the-top” a police operation on Saturday that targeted a Sunshine Coast charity ride in which he and other members of the Outcast Motorcycle Club were participating.
Mr Wattie said Operation Intrepid, which saw police breathalyse and drug test 62 motorcyclists in the Sunshine Coast Freedom Ride, was a waste of taxpayer money.
No riders returned positive readings to drugs or alcohol although officers issued 24 tickets for traffic infringements.
Police defended the operation, saying they were “committed to focussing on the safety of motorcyclists in an effort to prevent their over-representation in the road toll”.
The charity riders, who were tested at Warana, included motorcyclists from other groups such as Bikers Against Child Abuse, Tribe of Judah and Rene’s Riders.
Mr Wattie, who spoke on behalf of the Outcast Motorcycle Club, claimed all riders were frustrated at being tested and photographed.
“We know that it’s going to happen every time we have an organised run,” he said.
“We know they’re (police) going to be there. They spend all this money that was totally wasted.”
Mr Wattie said he believed the same event last year caught two riders who had smoked marijuana.
“In two years (from this event) they’ve got two positive results. Is that worth the expense? I don’t know where the line is,” he said.
A police spokesman said they were committed to “monitoring and investigating activities of outlaw motorcycle gangs”, acknowledging that those members could also participate in organised rides.
Bikers Against Child Abuse president Brad Coombs agreed the police operation was “a bit over the top”.
He said riders would not be deterred but that the operation would only “reinforce why we need to get out there and keep riding”.
The Sunshine Coast Daily
http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2011/05/02/charity-bikers-furious-at-police/
