Aaron Orlowski
rapidcityjournal.com/
A sign at the Spearfish Quality Inn welcomes
bikers in town for the
Hells Angels USA Run, which continues through Sunday.
Law enforcement have run into little trouble so far with the hundreds of Hells Angels spending most of the week in Spearfish.
Between 400 and 600 members of the motorcycle club are staying in Spearfish through Sunday for the the club's annual USA Run. Local law enforcement has described the run as a sort of annual business meeting and say another 400 to 600 family members and members of support groups are with the Hells Angels.
Though extra law enforcement officers are patrolling the streets during the five-day run, their work so far has been relatively light.
"Overall, it's just business as usual. Obviously, we've had some dealings with the Hells Angels," Lt. Curt Jacobs of the Spearfish Police Department said Thursday.
Jacobs reported there had been no incidents or arrests made.
"We've had some minor traffic infractions, speeding, that's pretty much it," he said.
Spearfish police and officers from the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office are working longer shifts. Additional South Dakota Highway Patrol troopers are in the area, as are U.S. marshals.
Last year, the Hells Angels held their World Run in Laconia, N.H. Reports at the time showed the Hells Angels caused little ruckus during their stay there.
Though local law enforcement has prepared for the worst, they are hoping for a peaceful stay by the bikers. Jacobs acknowledges that rival clubs sometimes stir conflicts, something police must prepare for.
"There have been incidents in the United States and other countries where the Hells Angels and other outlaw motorcycle clubs have butted heads," he said.
Jacobs does not expect other motorcycle gangs to show up, though members of some, such as the Bandidos, are in the area all of the time.
Two Hells Angels were convicted in January of assault in relation to a stabbing that took place last August at the Sturgis motorcycle rally. In that incident, two people were stabbed, a member of the Hells Angels and a member of the Mongols, a rival motorcycle club.
Between 400 and 600 members of the motorcycle club are staying in Spearfish through Sunday for the the club's annual USA Run. Local law enforcement has described the run as a sort of annual business meeting and say another 400 to 600 family members and members of support groups are with the Hells Angels.
Though extra law enforcement officers are patrolling the streets during the five-day run, their work so far has been relatively light.
"Overall, it's just business as usual. Obviously, we've had some dealings with the Hells Angels," Lt. Curt Jacobs of the Spearfish Police Department said Thursday.
Jacobs reported there had been no incidents or arrests made.
"We've had some minor traffic infractions, speeding, that's pretty much it," he said.
Spearfish police and officers from the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office are working longer shifts. Additional South Dakota Highway Patrol troopers are in the area, as are U.S. marshals.
Last year, the Hells Angels held their World Run in Laconia, N.H. Reports at the time showed the Hells Angels caused little ruckus during their stay there.
Though local law enforcement has prepared for the worst, they are hoping for a peaceful stay by the bikers. Jacobs acknowledges that rival clubs sometimes stir conflicts, something police must prepare for.
"There have been incidents in the United States and other countries where the Hells Angels and other outlaw motorcycle clubs have butted heads," he said.
Jacobs does not expect other motorcycle gangs to show up, though members of some, such as the Bandidos, are in the area all of the time.
Two Hells Angels were convicted in January of assault in relation to a stabbing that took place last August at the Sturgis motorcycle rally. In that incident, two people were stabbed, a member of the Hells Angels and a member of the Mongols, a rival motorcycle club.
