Hollister’s police chief said residents should expect just a few changes in the way cops patrol the motorcycle rally over Independence Day weekend.
Police and organizers expect much bigger crowds as a whole at the rally this year, not only because it is year two of its revival after a five-year hiatus, but also due to the additional third day for the event. Last year, tens of thousands of visitors walked Hollister’s downtown perusing the motorcycles lining San Benito Street, buying items from an array of vendors, drinking beer and watching performances on stages.
While Chief David Westrick doesn’t expect big changes this year, he did note a few minor ones this week in an interview with the Free Lance. The city has new barricades for increased pedestrian safety, while there will be visiting officers from agencies with experience in large events, said Westrick, adding how the department sent some officers out east to visit other rallies and examine law enforcement approaches elsewhere.
“We’re trying to make it a good event for the City of Hollister,” he said.
Additionally, the first aid area will move from the Veterans Memorial Building to Fire Station No. 1 on Fifth Street.
Westrick said the vast majority of rally visitors are peaceful people.
“Rally goers, for the most part, are folks that have really nice bikes and spend a lot of money on them,” he said. “They want to go and show off their bikes and look at other bikes.”
He did say the so-called “1-percenters” attend, too.
“While we prepare for the worst, we also prepare to enjoy the rally as well,” he said.
