DILLIGAF
05-09-2007, 06:54 AM
Biker brawl averted
By JIM MANIACI/News West
Tuesday, May 8, 2007 11:28 PM PDT
LAUGHLIN - The 25th annual Laughlin River Run motorcycle rally was busier than any time since it began in 1983, according to the local police commander who was in charge of an army of several hundred officers.
“There were more people in town, but a lot of them were inside, the majority were inside, because the hotels were all full,” Lt. Tom Smitley of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said last week.
Only one serious incident was reported.
Smitley said around 11 p.m. April 27, undercover officers issued an alert that the mortal rivalry between the Mongols and Hells Angels was about to erupt at an unnamed hotel.
“Officers were in position to take immediate action. They intervened, separated the groups and sent them on their ways,” he said. The lieutenant indicated the troublemakers were under such intense scrutiny they might as well have been minnows in a fish bowl.
He estimated 15-20 members of the outlaw groups were involved. “The operation was an outstanding success,” he said.
Members of the two groups shot, beat and stabbed each other at the 2002 River Run. Three bikers were killed.
There were no fatalities in Laughlin Township and the only reportable incident, other than averting the gang battle, was a motorist who clipped off the mirror from a Metro motorcycle.
Smitley said traffic citations were down about 100 as were drunk driving arrests, to 14 from 20 a year before. What increased, and he admitted he was a bit surprised by this, was the number of curfew violations. They almost doubled from 25 to 47 despite extensive publicity about the 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. special law.
What doesn't surprise him is that during River Run, “There's nothing for the kids to do except drink. We welcome them downtown every other weekend of the year. But during River Run it's not a healthy environment for them.”
Last year's success in preventing stolen vehicles continued, with only three cases, the same as in 2006 - which was a big drop from 2005's reported 27 grand theft of motorcycles. Officers also nabbed nine bikes which contained stolen parts.
“My crews know how to find them. These guys are good,” he said of cases, for instance, where the motorcycle's frame may be legitimate, but the engine block mounted on it was stolen. And license plates are included.
Smitley credits the high visibility of officers as a major reason for the relatively benign behavior this year.
Five years ago, during the infamous incident between the two gangs which resulted in three deaths, Metro was not nearly as prepared as this year. Smitley and his forces had drafted a battle plan that was at least a half-foot thick, covering every imaginable contingency.
Planning has started already for the 2008 event, which is the largest held each year in Laughlin. The debriefings show what changes would need to be made, he said.
By JIM MANIACI/News West
Tuesday, May 8, 2007 11:28 PM PDT
LAUGHLIN - The 25th annual Laughlin River Run motorcycle rally was busier than any time since it began in 1983, according to the local police commander who was in charge of an army of several hundred officers.
“There were more people in town, but a lot of them were inside, the majority were inside, because the hotels were all full,” Lt. Tom Smitley of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said last week.
Only one serious incident was reported.
Smitley said around 11 p.m. April 27, undercover officers issued an alert that the mortal rivalry between the Mongols and Hells Angels was about to erupt at an unnamed hotel.
“Officers were in position to take immediate action. They intervened, separated the groups and sent them on their ways,” he said. The lieutenant indicated the troublemakers were under such intense scrutiny they might as well have been minnows in a fish bowl.
He estimated 15-20 members of the outlaw groups were involved. “The operation was an outstanding success,” he said.
Members of the two groups shot, beat and stabbed each other at the 2002 River Run. Three bikers were killed.
There were no fatalities in Laughlin Township and the only reportable incident, other than averting the gang battle, was a motorist who clipped off the mirror from a Metro motorcycle.
Smitley said traffic citations were down about 100 as were drunk driving arrests, to 14 from 20 a year before. What increased, and he admitted he was a bit surprised by this, was the number of curfew violations. They almost doubled from 25 to 47 despite extensive publicity about the 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. special law.
What doesn't surprise him is that during River Run, “There's nothing for the kids to do except drink. We welcome them downtown every other weekend of the year. But during River Run it's not a healthy environment for them.”
Last year's success in preventing stolen vehicles continued, with only three cases, the same as in 2006 - which was a big drop from 2005's reported 27 grand theft of motorcycles. Officers also nabbed nine bikes which contained stolen parts.
“My crews know how to find them. These guys are good,” he said of cases, for instance, where the motorcycle's frame may be legitimate, but the engine block mounted on it was stolen. And license plates are included.
Smitley credits the high visibility of officers as a major reason for the relatively benign behavior this year.
Five years ago, during the infamous incident between the two gangs which resulted in three deaths, Metro was not nearly as prepared as this year. Smitley and his forces had drafted a battle plan that was at least a half-foot thick, covering every imaginable contingency.
Planning has started already for the 2008 event, which is the largest held each year in Laughlin. The debriefings show what changes would need to be made, he said.