Great: the Hell's Angels have chosen Spearfish for their 2012 "convention":
In July, about 600 Hell's Angel motorcycle club members will be in Spearfish.
Spearfish Police Chief Pat Rotert said Tuesday that his department is already making preparations to make sure the event goes smoothly.
...To put a plan in place, Rotert has met with officials with the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office and members of the Department of Criminal Investigation, among others.
Rotert said they've also been gathering feedback from communities that have hosted the Hell's Angels in the past to get a better idea of what to expect [Heather Murschel, "Hell's Angels to Hold 2012 Run in Spearfish," Black Hills Pioneer, 2012.01.19].
It appears we can expect a few hundred racist criminal thugs:
Those who want to become members... must be white, have a valid driver's licence, a running bike and cannot be a child molester or have taken steps to become a police officer or prison guard ["Behind the Patch: Angels ABCs...," Vancouver Sun, 2005.06.10].
See also the FBI files on our coming guests, as well as this examination of the biker gang's criminal activity.
The Hell's Angels' run in Laconia, New Hampshire, last year didn't produce much trouble. Still, dispatching some of that extra Sturgis Rally law enforcement to the Black Hills a week early would be a good way to make sure there's no trouble. Governor Daugaard, let's see some Highway Patrol here that week.
Update 10:05 MST: Rep. Don Kopp's House Bill 1015, which met defeat in committee Friday after overzealous threats from the radical rightwing South Dakota Gun Owners, would have stopped Chief Rotert and his officers from arresting Hell's Angels for possession of unpermitted handguns.
They are probably preferable to the Corvette owners.
"It appears we can expect a few hundred racist criminal thugs"… Really? I doubt you have ever met a member. Do you base your whole outlook on life from old Hollywood Movies or current TV Shows? It would do you well to acquaint yourself with people before you judge..and a finer group of guys you will never meet. I am sure that you will not be griping about the needed influx of money to the local businesses that will transpire that week.
Be careful Cory, I think you were just entered on some sort of watch list.
Funny: I cited news reports, not a TV show or movie. Offering money doesn't change the racist nature of the Hell's Angels own rules.
Cory, don't talk back! They might kill you. :(
@K. Cone “It appears we can expect a few hundred racist criminal thugsâ€â€¦
You could have just said Republicans....what is with the sugar coating? ;-)
Not to worry, Carter: the FBI files I linked to discussing their criminal thuggery doesn't include mention of violence against bloggers.
Prairie Lady, have you been having drinks with Mr. Kurtz? :-)
Cory: Prairie Lady, have you been having drinks with Mr. Kurtz? :-)
Hummm, is Mr. Kurtz single? ;-)
I am going to try to go out for a beer tomorrow night and see South DaCola, since he will be working. Talked to him today, as I am trying to find a local web developer/print media person. Nice young man. He thinks very highly of you.
Please return that compliment from me to Mr. Ehrisman! I enjoy his work!
Prairie Lady, just saw this: *blushing*
Cory, Hells Angels HQ is at Mayor Krambeck's sister's campground:
http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/communities/spearfish/spearfish-says-it-s-ready-for-hells-angels/article_a7a6b8a0-bb2e-5ded-81da-caf780bbccac.html
His sister! Hilarious.
Mr. H, your new town of Spearfish has a mayor in cahoots with people who, by your account, are racist thugs. But I bet they shop at the Spearfish thrift store!!
Mr. Johnson, good to see you.
Thompson, my bad.
Larry,
You can't do bad. I know who you are, don't, hell, seldom agree with you but love ya anyway. Sometimes I think your Pops would turn over in his grave over some of the things you say, but without a doubt he is proud of how you turned out. Still remember the post you made while he was in the hospital and the post you made when he passed. He and I will drink a toast to you on the other side.
When you go, sir, all the good conservatives will have gone.