Hollister
– Peace officers breathed a sigh of relief Monday as the 2007
Hollister Motorcycle Rally had passed without any serious
crimes.
Hollister – Peace officers breathed a sigh of relief Monday as the 2007 Hollister Motorcycle Rally had passed without any serious crimes.
Hollister Police Chief Jeff Miller, who heads security for the rally, said the 2007 event ended peacefully, with vendors moving out and the city resuming its normal business. The chief said Friday night was more mellow than in previous years.
“I’m relieved that we had no serious incidents,” Miller said.
Sheriff Curtis Hill said the rally was quieter than in previous years.
“I think it somewhat had to do with the layout,” Hill said. “It presented a different feeling downtown.”
Citing preliminary numbers, total arrests for the Hollister Police Department were down from 2004 and 2005, Miller said.
There were 75 arrests in 2004 and 65 arrests in 2005, according to police records. Preliminary figures show the department arrested 48 people in 2007.
“It seems like a fair percentage of the arrests were for substances, either alcohol or drugs,” Miller said.
During the 2007 rally weekend, 84 people were booked into the San Benito County Jail, according to the sheriff’s office. Alcohol- and drug-related arrests accounted for 52 of those arrests, deputies said.
The sheriff noted how motorcycles were spread out. Walkways along San Benito Street were less crowded than in previous years, he said, because people could walk into the roadway.
“What it came down to, to a certain extent, was a bunch of old cops watching a bunch of old bikers,” Hill said.
Miller said the crowd in attendance at the rally Saturday night differed from Friday and Sunday.
“It was a rougher crowd,” Miller said. “It had an edge to it Saturday night.”
Pancho’s and Paine’s restaurants were closed down Saturday night because of fights, the chief said.
“The owners in both places were cooperative in closing down,” Miller said.
Miller said a certain group was more vocal this year than at previous rallies.
“The members of the Hells Angels were more confrontational with police this year,” Miller said.
Police dispatchers reported 150 Hells Angels en route from Gilroy on Saturday. Dispatchers provided updates on the group’s whereabouts as they rode into town.
As for the total cost of law enforcement, budgeted at $362,000 this year, Miller did not have an immediate figure.
“We won’t have those for weeks,” Miller said.
