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The Union Leader - August 7, 2003
Hells Angels say thanks to Lakes Region World Run: Motorcycle club’s lawyer, police credit bikers with good behavior.
By Kathryn Marchocki
The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club’s recent international assembly in Laconia was not intended to “instill fear” and succeeded through the bikers’ “strength, honor, character and courteous conduct,” their lawyer said yesterday.
In his first public statement on last week’s World Run, the club’s local attorney broke the silence the international motorcycle club sought to create during the four-day affair that ended Sunday.
“Despite negative media portrayals by some members of law enforcement, the Hells Angles believe the public understands that The Club came to Laconia not to cause trouble and instill fear in the community, but to vacation in the scenic Lakes Region and spend their hard-earned dollars in the local economy, “ Lowell, Mass. attorney P. Scott Bratton wrote.
Bratton, who issued that statement on behalf of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club’s New Hampshire charters, thanked the Lakes Region residents for their “courteous, friendly and respectful hospitality.”
“Most would agree the event was a success,” he added.
While law enforcement agencies attributed the event’s success to the deterrent effect of their strong, visible presence, Bratton gave the credit to the bikers.
“Although much money was spent on law enforcement, this unique, multicultural private convention was a success because of the strength, honor, character and courteous conduct of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, “he wrote.”
An estimated 1,500 club members attended the annual gathering of Hells Angels from around the country and the world. Most activities were centered at the club’s Filmore Avenue property in Laconia.
“The right to associate with one’s friends without government intrusion is a traditional America value cherished by the people of New Hampshire, including the Hells Angels,” Bratton wrote.
Bratton issued the statement by fax late yesterday morning. He could not be reached to elaborate shortly after because he had left the country, a receptionist in his law office said.
Area law enforcement officials concurred the event was a success.
“I congratulate the Hells Angels on their behavior while in the Lakes Region area,” State Police Capt. Ray Burke said.
He said the law enforcement presence was based on information received from California and Colorado.
“From the standpoint of the New Hampshire state police, things went very smoothly. Hells Angels Motorcycle Club arrived in Laconia, conducted their meetings and left the Lakes Region area without any serious incidents except for a fight at a local restaurant,” Burke said.
Laconia Police Lt. Michael A. Moyer said he is unaware of any negative comments made about the Hells Angels by Laconia Police.
Lt. Richard Bathstone of the Belknap County Sheriff’s Department and Moyer agreed police presence played a key role in the event’s success.
“A lot of it had to do with the presence of a lot of law enforcement officers who supported this event,” Bathstone said.
Bathstone said the Belknap County Sheriff’s Department obtained an estimated $2000,000 grant through the U.S. Justice Department to pay for the additional staffing.
“I would agree with the statement that there is a right to associate with friends without government intrusion and certainly, with this event, there wasn’t government intrusion,” Moyer said.
Bathstone said law enforcement did not intrude “on any of their (Hells Angels) rights or freedoms, but people should also feel safe in their communities and a law enforcement presence assisted in that.”
He said at least 15 people thanked him for being out in force during World Run.
“I don’t know of a law enforcement official that went onto the clubhouse grounds on Filmore Avenue,” Burke said.
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