I’ve posted previously on the unintended consequences of aggressive police staffing at biker rallies and the Snohomish Antique and Classic Motorcycle Show is the latest Northwest victim.
Until this year the Sky Valley chapter of A.B.A.T.E paid about $5,000 for security and no other event in the city had been required to have more than two police officers present although outside agencies were used for some crowd control. Just last September the Snohomish car show organized by the Chamber of Commerce brought in an estimated 15,000 people and only two officers were on duty before and after the event. There were volunteer Fire Explorers and organizers were charged only $1,200.
So what is the price for a bike show in 2009 as the economy sags? City officials wanted organizers of the motorcycle show to pay $30,360 for 44 police officers to staff this event! Never mind there have been no major incidents in the previous 12 years of the show with an estimated 22,000 people in attendance. The Snohomish Police Chief initially requested for 70 police officers stating a need for more officers because they are “concerned” about the potential for motorcycle gang violence.
Quick to recognize the potential political backlash the Snohomish Mayor Randy Hamlin stated at the City Council meeting the decision had to do with public safety and “It’s not to discriminate against this [motorcycle] group”. Then why bring it up, Randy? And why the “fear-based” discussions centered on Outlaw motorcycle groups attending the show? Why were no business owners consulted on the police policy changes? With no troubled past, is law enforcement being hyper-cautious or are members of the motorcycle community being sent a message?
With few alternatives and a short window to accommodate an abrupt rise in expenses the organizers cancelled the show. Most unfortunate are donations from the show ($4000 last year) to local charities that disappear as well as the $$ the motorcycle riding public would have spent in Snohomish!
UPDATE: May 20, 2009 – thousands of bikers show up in Snohomish even with the bike show being cancelled. So do a lot of police… See HeraldNet news article for more information.
Photo courtesy of event web site.
NO SHOW, BUT WE SHOULD STILL GO!
What would we have to do, to just have all the enthusiast groups and motorcycle clubs just show up on the same day anyway?
We need to send a message to the policemen of the Pacific Northwest that BIKERS ARE NOT 2nd CLASS CITIZENS!
And if the wise city father’s of SULTAN decide to take over the event (they have a special meeting called for next week to discuss this),
every club’s road captain should design their ride plans to ride THROUGH the middle of the city of Snohomish, but keep on going.
And DO NOT spend one damn dime on your way through!
I agree with Griz.
Nice editorial Mac.
Ride on,
Torch
Probably involves some well placed person whose daughter felt “threatened” or something. It’s the typical stupid kneejerk over-reaction of government at work.
I agree, nice editorial. Glad we are not the only ones that can see it for what it is. Thank-you for your support. The show may still go on. Keep your fingers crossed. Basically we will have a last discussion with Snohomish PD and the City Manager. If we can reach an agreement we will go forward. The show might not be up to it’s usual standard but we will try to entertain everyone as best we can in the time left.
Site Director – Old Sno Bike Show
You tell ’em Griz. That should be the proper way to handle cities like this one. Rattle the windows of every business in town then blow right on out of there. Stock up on drinks and fuel the town before and the town after. We have Hollister to thank once again for peoples overreaction. They still picture that drunk dumbass layin over on his bike and the broken beer bottles scattered about. One isolated incident decades ago and people still freak out. 9-11 was a trajedy…Hollister was a party out of control so lets move on with our lives. If you need that much security and are that afraid of bikers then dont have the fricken event at all. We’ll find another town to spend our money in.
I’m sure there are other towns that are far more open to bikers. Our town of Brier is unfortunately far too small to accomodate that many bikers alone, not even including the crowds, or I’d be at the town hall right now filing a permit for you 😉
I suggest towns that are hard hit economically: Carnation, Tacoma (the dome?) etc. They’d be too happy for the income to complain about anything, and already have experience with bikers and bike events. It doesn’t have to be near me but selecting a large location with open spaces is usually going to be nowhere near Seattle anyway.
Good luck,
… and I would not have gone to Snohomish anyway. Traffic is miserable there, no trains, too far on the bus route, etc.