OFF THE WIRE
Authorities say a Hells Angels motorcycle club gathering in Spearfish resulted in no major problems, although they issued a lot of traffic citations and tickets during the five-day event.
The club's annual USA Run, which brought about 400 bikers to the western South Dakota city, ended Sunday. Law officers stepped up their presence during the Black Hills event and there were about 90 more calls for service than last year at the same time but no fights or other major incidents, Spearfish Police Lt. Curt Jacobs said. Officers issued 58 traffic warnings and 41 citations, and made five drunken driving arrests.
The law enforcement presence during the Hells Angels gathering included officers from the city, Lawrence County, the state Highway Patrol and the state Department of Criminal Investigation.
"I would give them credit for the preparation that made this an uneventful event," Jacobs said. "We planned and prepared for the worst, and we got the best."
The Hells Angels have not responded to Associated Press emails seeking comment about the event.
Some club members who were in Spearfish were expected to stay in South Dakota for the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which begins Monday. Members of the Hells Angels have had run-ins with the law during Sturgis rallies in past years. Two club members involved in a stabbing last year that injured two people were convicted of assault charges.
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