January 22, 2015

INTRODUCTION TO LAW AND JUSTICE – MOTORCYCLE GANGS

Introduction With the war over in 1945, thousands of veterans drifted back home trying to take up their lives. However, many missed the excitement of the war. One of the ways to look for the type of excitement they searched for was riding a high-powered Harley Davidson or Indian motorcycle. Hollywood has also multiplied the effect of motorcycle gangs. Movies like "Easy Rider", "Hell's Angels on Wheels" and "The Wild One" have a large following. Bike gangs which started in the 50's as loosely knit rowdy groups began to gain popularity and status in the 60's and are now reorganized as a dangerous organized criminal group. According to the American Motorcycle Assn. (A.M.A.) these outlaw bikers represent about 1% of the nation's bikers. The outlaw bikers are involved in murder, rape, assault, burglary, narcotics, theft, prostitution, weapons offenses and intimidation of the public and witnesses. They pose a threat to society in general and law enforcement because of their possession of and expertise in sophisticated weapons and their intricate intelligence network. Not all outlaw gangs are sophisticated criminal organizations. Only four appear to have a large national impact which would warrant an investigation for violation of the Title 18 United States Code 1962, the Federal "Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations" (RICO) stature. They are: The Hell's Angels, Outlaws, Pagans and Bandidos. They are often referred to as the "Big Four". All four motorcycle clubs have chapters in several states. The Hell's Angels have chapters in Canada, throughout Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The Pagan's have a chapter in Australia. The History The Hollister, California, Incident: On July 4th weekend in 1946 the American Motorcycle Assn. (A.M.A.) was sponsoring the Annual Motorcycle Dirt Hill Climb Races. It was held in the small town of Hollister, California. Hollister had a police force of seven. The town filled with bikers. Two of the larger motorcycle groups to attend were the "Pissed Off Brothers of Bloomington" (P.O.B.O.B.) and the "Market Street Commandoes". During the evenings drag races and bar and street fights were common. One member of the P.O.B.O.B. was arrested and jailed. A large mob gathered and demanded his release. When local authorities refused, the estimated mob of 750 literally tore the small community apart. The Hollister incident contributed three very important biker traditions that survive to this day: the 4th of July run, the one per center image, and calling anyone not part of the sub-cult, "Citizen". After Hollister, the P.O.B.O.B.'s membership started increasing and the new blood came in with new ideas. After much consideration one idea was a name change. The new identity they chose was "Hell's Angels. 1

January 22, 2015

INTRODUCTION TO LAW AND JUSTICE – MOTORCYCLE GANGS

Organization Structure of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gang There are numerous motorcycle gangs that have chapters in various cities and states around the nation. Some have chapters in several countries. National President Many times the founder of the club. He will usually be located at or near the national headquarters. He will be surrounded by bodyguards and organizational enforcers. Territorial or Regional Representatives In some cases called the national vice president in charge of a specific region or state. National Secretary / Treasurer He is responsible for the club's money and collecting dues from local chapters. He also records any by-law changes and record any minutes. National Enforcer This person answers directly to the national president. He acts as a body guard and gives out punishment for club violations. He has also been known to locate former members and retrieve colors or remove the club's tattoo from them. Chapter President This person has either claimed the position or has been voted in. He has final authority over all chapter business and members. Chapter Vice President This person is second in command. He presides over club affairs in the absence of the president. Normally, he is handpicked by the chapter president. Chapter Secretary / Treasurer This is usually the member with the best writing skills and probably the most education. He will maintain the chapter roster and maintain a crude accounting system. He is also responsible for collecting dues, keeping minutes and paying for any bills the chapter accumulates. Chapter Sergeant at Arms This person is in charge of maintaining order at club meetings. Because of the violent nature of outlaw gangs this person is normally the strongest member physically and is 2

January 22, 2015

INTRODUCTION TO LAW AND JUSTICE – MOTORCYCLE GANGS

loyal to the chapter president. He may administer beatings to fellow members for violations of club rules. He is the club enforcer. Road Captain This person fulfills the role of a logistician and security chief for club sponsored runs or outings. The Road Captain maps out routes to be taken during runs, arranges the refueling, food and maintenance stops. He will carry the club's money and use it for bail if necessary. Members The rank and file, fully accepted and dues paying members of the gang. They are the individuals who carry out the president's orders and have sworn to live by the club's bylaws Probate or prospective Member These are the club's hopefuls who spend from one month to one year in a probationary status. They must prove during that time if they are worthy of becoming members. Some clubs have the probate commit a felony with fellow members observing in an effort to weed out the weak and stop infiltration by law enforcement. Probates must be nominated by a regular member and receive a unanimous vote for acceptance. They are known to carry weapons for other club members and stand guard at club functions. The probate wears no colors and has no voting rights. Associates or Honorary Members An individual who has proved his value or usefulness to the gang. These individuals may be professional people who have in some manner helped the club. Some of the more noted are attorneys, bail bondsmen, motorcycle chop owners and auto wrecking yard owners. These people are allowed to party with the gang, either in town or on their runs; however, they do not have a voting status or wear colors. Constitution or By-Laws All outlaw motorcycle clubs have by-laws or a constitution that sets an acceptable standard of conduct and administrative procedures for the club. The by-laws cover matters such as membership requirement, penalties for misconduct, and acceptable behavior during runs or meetings. While bylaws differ from club to club the following are examples of common by- laws. All members must be male and at least 18 years of age. All prospective new members much be sponsored by a current member. All prospective new members must complete a probation period. All members pay monthly dues and all new members will pay initiation fees to the national headquarters. No member shall transfer from one chapter 3

January 22, 2015

INTRODUCTION TO LAW AND JUSTICE – MOTORCYCLE GANGS

to another without the permission of both presidents and will pay a transfer fee to the national treasure. When a member is in another jurisdiction, he will abide by their bylaws and president. Any member caught using the needle will lose his colors and everything that goes with them. Members may only ride Harley Davidson or Indian motorcycles Women and the Outlaw Biker Outlaw motorcycle gangs are male dominated and highly chauvinistic. Women are treated as property. Women are generally victimized by forcing them into prostitution or street level drug traffickers. Women take up with outlaw bikers for different reasons: some are hungry, some need a warm place to stay, and others feel safe in a crowd. Most attach themselves voluntarily to the club and everything it stands for - drugs, alcohol, parties, fast bikes and cars and cheap thrills. Rebellious teenagers who strike back at their parents numb their minds with drugs. Women without education become somebody when they attach themselves to respected and feared outlaw bikers. They like the freedom from responsibility. Another area where the women are used effectively is intelligence gathering. They will go into the community and take jobs at city, county and state offices where they have access to blank birth certificates, driver’s licenses and other useful documentations. Other areas of employment the women will seek are that of police records clerk, telephone operators, employees in welfare offices and position within prison institutions. They will even sleep with cops to compromise them or gather intelligence. Old Lady These are the wives or steady girlfriends of club members. An old lady is the property of one biker and can't be used or abused by other club members. An old lady is not a club member and are not permitted to attend club meetings. They also will in some clubs wear "Property of" colors; however, with the name of the biker she belongs to on the bottom rocker. The Big Four The Big Four outlaw gangs claim to be the one percent of motorcyclists who won't conform to society's laws and morals ethics. They are the Hell's Angels, the Outlaws, the Pagans and the Bandidos. All of them are U.S. based and have international chapters with the exception of the Pagans. The Big Four are guided by their own code of terror. They strive to maintain their reputation as outlaws by instilling in people a fear they interpret as respect. The gangs keep members in line and eliminate the opposition with squads of killers: the Hell's Angels Filthy Few, the Outlaws' SS, the Pagans' Black T- shirt squad, and the Bandidos' 4

January 22, 2015

INTRODUCTION TO LAW AND JUSTICE – MOTORCYCLE GANGS

Nomad Chapter. The Big Four earn most of their money making and selling drugs. They control 75% of the North American Methamphetamine market. Prostitution, extortion, theft, arson, robbery, bombings and contact murders are among the crimes that bring in millions more. The Big Four are paramilitary operations fueled by greed and run on fear. Members are armed with the latest in military technology and protected by the best lawyers. Two of the Big Four motorcycles are locked in a death battle since 1974. The Hell's Angels and Outlaws kill each other's members at every opportunity. They also encourage smaller clubs to expand their territory and bolster their strength. Gangs that resist takeovers don't last long; their drug supplies dry up or they are destroyed.

Questions: 1. What does 1% mean? 2. What does P.O.B.O.B. stand for? 3. What does the National Enforcer do for the Motorcycle Club? 4. What does a Prospective Member of the Motorcycle club have to do to become a full member? 5. What type of motorcycles can club members ride? 6. Can women become full members of Motorcycle club? a. What are their Primary duties in the club? 7. What are the “Big Four” Motorcycle clubs? 8. What is the main drug that Outlaw Motorcycle clubs make and sell?

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