Terry “Papa-T” Jones is a biker who cares about safety of children. That’s why he and others in the region are part of the Bikers Against Child Abuse organization.
The nonprofit group – Jones was quick to point out it’s not a motorcycle club – is becoming active in San Benito County, sparked by a recent case involving a local girl.
“It doesn’t matter who it is,” Jones said. “If a child’s in fear, then we want to be there to help that child.”
The concept is simple. If the nonprofit group finds an appropriate child subject and that child wants their help, the bikers will follow the court process, encourage the victims throughout and physically show up to court so the victims know they are behind them.
If a specific child fits well with the organization, the bikers will hold a “Level 1 ride” that involves the ride and the child receiving a Teddy bear.
“They get adopted into the chapter,” Jones said. “They get a road name. They become part of the BACA family.”
Those road names become the child member’s sole identity to the bikers in the organization.
That organization includes the Santa Cruz chapter that is expanding into San Benito County, while there are BACA groups in 46 states and five countries. Its slogan is “No Child Should Live in Fear”. One of the major goals for the group is to empower victims to testify, while Jones said BACA has a much higher rate of success than without their involvement.
“We’re always looking for new members,” he said. “We allow women to become patched members and we welcome that. We’re not hard-core bikers. We’re just basically here to help these kids.”
People like Debbie Ruiz appreciate that. She is Hollister’s case manager for the organization that addresses domestic violence and sexual assault. She said the BACA members are a “great support” for the local family in the current case.
“I get paid to do the work and be in court and stuff,” Ruiz said. “But when you get 10 people, 12 people of different ages, different backgrounds to stop their lives – it’s overwhelming.”
