Sheriff backs police plan for Snohomish biker show

Published 10:51 pm Tuesday, March 3, 2009

SNOHOMISH — Snohomish County Sheriff John Lovick on Tuesday night told a room full of people that Snohomish’s police chief isn’t out of line by insisting on having more than 40 officers to police a popular motorcycle show.

The reason the show has gone off without violence in the past is because of police presence, Lovick told the Snohomish City Council and a room packed with bikers, many dressed in leathers.

Snohomish Police Chief John Turner has been questioned and criticized for his decision to require 44 police officers to patrol the annual Old Snohomish Antique and Classic Motorcycle Show.

Lovick said Turner is right in insisting on having enough police to keep the peace.

“As sheriff I agree with him 100 percent,” Lovick said.

At least 50 motorcycle enthusiasts showed up at the meeting, including some wearing colors for the outlaw biker group Bandidos. About two dozen large motorcycles were lined up outside the meeting place.

Critics say the event brings shoppers to the city’s struggling downtown. Organized by The Sky Valley chapter of the American Bikers Aimed Toward Education, the show drew about 22,000 people to downtown last year.

His intention isn’t to drive the show out of town, Turner said. Yet it would be irresponsible to provide inadequate policing for a show that attracts thousands, including members of outlaw biker clubs such as the Bandidos and Hells Angels.

“I took an oath to protect and serve,” Turner said. “That’s my duty.”

Turner met with event organizers last week to discuss a compromise after they announced plans to cancel the show. One man at the meeting identified himself as an officer in the Bandidos, Turner said. The man also was a witness in a federal racketeering case involving the Hells Angels. A Snohomish man who had been a Hells Angel was convicted of murder in connection with that case.

Event organizers threatened to move the show last month after learning that they’d be required to pay up to $30,000 for security.

Last year they paid $5,000 for the 70 police officers who worked the event. Agencies, such as the sheriff’s office, have supplied officers in the past, at their own expense. This year, Snohomish officials were told the police departments needed to be fully reimbursed for their officers’ time, Turner said.

Snohomish, struggling with its own financial problems, says it can’t afford to shoulder the costs.

Event organizers say the city is overreacting. There haven’t been any serious problems in the past and attendees can police themselves.

They have petitioned business owners and circulated fliers urging pressure on the City Council and Turner.

There also have been rumors that some motorcycle clubs are encouraging people to boycott Snohomish businesses, Turner wrote in a recent letter. He’s also heard a rumor that 2,000 motorcyclists are going to show up in downtown anyway, even if the show remains canceled.

“This type of bullying and intimidation tactics underscores the need for police presence at these public events,” Turner wrote.

Turner said he has talked to business owners and residents and understands that the show and the money attendees bring are welcomed in Snohomish.

“I know it’s loved. I’m not against it,” Turner said. “We need all the business we can get.”

Yet his job as police chief is to make sure the public is safe, he said.

In 2006, 150 members of the Bandidos motorcycle club rode into town during the show. People became uncomfortable and some patrons chose to leave, Turner said. Nothing happened that day.

Still the potential for trouble is there, Turner said.

The police chief has consulted Lovick and others about staffing. The standard is two officers for every 1,000 attendees, according to the International Association of Police Chiefs and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, he said.

“That’s considered a best practice,” Turner said Tuesday.

The city has suggested the show’s sponsors charge admission to cover security costs.

ABATE isn’t interested in charging for the event, organizer Rod Hobelman said.

“We were just making one last-ditch effort to see if we could come to some neutral agreement,” Hobelman said.

Other cities are interested in hosting the show in the future.

The Sultan City Council voted unanimously to partner with the motorcycle group and gave city officials the go-ahead to begin negotiating an agreement.

“There’s an excitement in the community to have the event here,” said Deborah Knight, Sultan city administrator. “I don’t think we’ll suddenly have an influx of visitors throughout the year or our sales tax will take off. People are excited to have the group here and people seem to feel it’s a safe family event — that’s the perception.”

Police service in Sultan is provided under contract with the sheriff’s office.

In Everett, city employees met with the group about hosting the show in 2010.

Everett doesn’t charge security fees for general-interest events such as the Fourth of July, but it does charge for specialized events, Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson said.

How much they would charge would need to be determined.

“Right now the ball is in their court,” he said. “If they do want an assessment we’d be open to considering it.”