USA - Bikers Against Child Abuse team up to help the vulnerable

OFF THE WIRE
Mark "Joker" Kastner (from left), Kathy "Taffy Lady" Calabro, Frank "Long Rider" Calabro, Dana "Dog Catcher" Bisaillon, Ed "Kross Guard" Mitchell, and Terry "Papa-T" Jones of the group Bikers Against Child Abuse." (Photo by Tarmo Hannula/Register-Pajaronian)

APTOS — The deep bass roar of a Harley Davidson motorcycles as it rolls down the street is a definite attention getter. It’s a sound of unadulterated power, weighted by images of leather-bound road warriors and gleaming chrome.

When several riders astride the cycles are coming for you, the sound can be either terrifying or comforting, depending on the reason for the visit.

The members of Bikers Against Child Abuse hope that sound is one of salvation to the abused children they take under their wings.

Also known as BACA, the group’s members insist they are not a typical motorcycle club. Instead, they have one simple mission: acting as allies for children who have been hurt by adults.

“The whole idea is to alleviate the fear they feel and show them there is someone they can trust,” said Mark “Joker” Kastner, the president of the Santa Cruz County chapter, which boasts more than a dozen members.

http://www.register-pajaronian.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=14090&page=72