City, Police were Placed in a No-win Situation
City, Police were Placed in a No-win Situation
Editor,
Neither the City Council nor the Hollister Police had a crystal ball to tell them how many bikers would come to Hollister over the July Fourth weekend. Had the level of law enforcement been inadequate because of a large number of motorcyclists or had some major criminal activity occurred the city officials would have been criticized for not providing adequate law enforcement. It was a no-win situation and I would rather see the city overprepare than come up short.
As for the reported overzealous outside law enforcement agencies, if any of their personnel acted inappropriately then the remedy is to file a complaint with the offending department’s supervisors.
As for Councilman Emerson helping the Rotary Club sell sandwiches, he should be praised for donating his time rather than being criticized. I doubt that Doug organized the Rotary Club fundraising activity but he did the honorable thing by filling an assignment for his service club with the intent of helping charitable organizations within our community.
Thanks, Doug. You have my vote.
I am not a member of the Rotary Club but I do have great respect for their organization.
Gary Cameron,
Hollister
Embarrassed, Ashamed
Editor,
I was born and raised in Hollister, as were my grandparents, parents, children and grandchildren and I have always been very proud to be a member of this caring and giving community, that is until this Fourth of July weekend. Now I am embarrassed and ashamed to be a part of a community who was so unwelcoming and prejudiced against one group of people.
There are some issues that need to be addressed.
1. In the past it was insinuated that because of the rally, Hollister could not have a family Fourth of July parade because the bikers were taking up San Benito Street, yet this year the parade was still held on Memorial Drive even though San Benito Street was open.
2. Why were merchants asked to take down signs in their windows that ‘Welcomed’ Bikers! Can’t individuals decide whom they will welcome into their private property?
3. How much law enforcement can you possibly need? The number of police bordered on harassment. They actually kept potential customers from entering some businesses because of their intimidating appearance. I hope that when the statistics come out there is a distinction between violations given to locals and those actually given to motorcyclists. Local people could hardly get to and from work, to the bank or the grocery store without being stopped for infractions that have never been enforced in the past. i.e. no front license plate.
4. How can you change the parking rules for one group of people when it is not enforced any other time? Is that discrimination?
5. I take offense when an elected official calls this gathering a “dirty rotten stinking event.” If the words or actions shown this weekend were against any other group there would be an outcry. How small-minded can you be to say that any group is all bad or will always cause trouble? I realize that not every resident is a fan of the rally. Then again not everyone attends the Rodeo, Street Festival or Lights On Parade.
Why can’t we be a diverse community that welcomes different types of entertainment and activities? I refuse to believe that his event cannot be an asset to the city of Hollister. There are small towns all across our country that take advantage of these eclectic events and are successful doing it. I am sure that we have all visited another area at one time or another and been welcomed by them.
Why can’t our city and county officials view this as a unique opportunity to succeed in boosting our economy, bringing people to Hollister and providing new and different activities? I ask our elected officials to try and work together, let other communities guide us as they have offered and make this work for the benefit of our county. Any money brought in to our community will eventually help everyone, even if not immediately.
By the way, I ride on the back of my husband’s Harley and I am a law-abiding, contributing member of this community.
Sally Silva,
Hollister
A Special Delivery
Editor,
You all have heard the mailman’s motto “neither rain, nor sleet and snow…” Well, I would like to add motorcycle rally and horse doo to that list! As I made my rounds during this year’s “unofficial” rally, I had to dodge horse doo as well as police officers, er, crowds of people!
I make these rounds every year and never once have I had a problem with the crowds. Everyone seems to understand I have a job to do but this year having to deal with the horses ON the sidewalk and taking care of their business ON the sidewalk was just too much to have to step around! Although witnessing the ONE police officer scraping it up off the sidewalk, glancing at the garbage can but throwing it in the gutter next to the motorcycles, wasn’t a better sight to see. This unsanitary and vulgar display disgusted me more than anything I have seen during any Rally of years past – and that includes the rare displays of nudity! At least the scantily clad women that I saw threw their garbage away in the can, not on the sidewalk for others to step into or over! I hope that the city of Hollister can get their act together and figure out a way to make next year’s event a profit instead of a black eye!
Marty Arambula,
Hollister
Praise for Police Chief
Editor,
Salinas has a gang and homicide problem that is worse than bad and is not getting better. Day by day it marches northward toward us. Law enforcement can see it coming and it is their job to stop it.
The rally is largely a celebration of the “American Biker” and all of the values and connotations that go with it. On the upside it represents freedom, individuality, daring, fun, fellowship, and personal power. These are many of the reasons that I have enjoyed motorcycling for 35 years. On the downside it represents drinking, fighting, belligerence, disregard for the law, and gangs. This is no great secret, in fact for many this is its romance. The rally is much more than symbolic. It is advocacy and those conveying its message are primarily adults. The same adults that will pray at night that their sons and daughters will make it through life safely and somehow avoid the dangerous waters of youth.
The rally is unlike other conventions in that it cannot be contained. It spills out onto hundreds of streets and permeates the neighborhoods. Its pervasiveness is a big problem for law enforcement. If things get out of control the likelihood that innocent people will get hurt is very high (If it were a meeting of the Geologic Society of America or the National Writers Guild we would probably be less to worry about.)
There has been much criticism of our Police Chief and his opposition to the rally. His position is controversial and can be debated but his leadership and strength of character cannot. It was and remains a remarkable act of courage by a public servant who could have much more easily looked the other way. This is a very rare thing and should not go unappreciated, especially by those that oppose him.
Ted Davis,
via e-mail
