Council members canceled the annual event Nov. 17 after losing
$125,000 on this July’s rally. The majority of the financial drain
for the city, meanwhile, is on security costs that have ballooned
in recent years.
HOLLISTER
Officials have announced the city will release the number of law enforcement personnel employed at the Hollister Motorcycle Rally in response to a Free Lance public records request, according to a letter from City Attorney Stephanie Atigh.
The newspaper made the request after the Hollister Motorcycle Rally’s cancellation and in light of an open records expert contending a non-release by the city would violate a 2007 California Supreme Court ruling over disclosure of public employees’ pay.
Council members canceled the annual event Nov. 17 after losing $125,000 on this July’s rally. The majority of the financial drain for the city, meanwhile, is on security costs that have ballooned in recent years. City officials in the past, while releasing the total cost of the rally, have been hesitant to disclose the number of officers hired each year. Police Chief Jeff Miller has contended that criminals could potentially use that information to their benefit.
The city in 2008 spent $359,000 on security, officials have said. The written response from Atigh notes how the records will be available by the close of business Dec. 12.
