Ruminations in Korea

Wednesday, July 26 marked the beginning of the Hells Angels annual World Run. Each year the Angels pick one city for their event and show up whether they are wanted or not. This year, they chose Cody, Wyoming, named after Buffalo Bill Cody. Seems like a good town for a group of outlaws to gather.

So what happens at an annual World Run? Why are the Angels there? Murder? Rape? Pillaging? Theft? Creating havoc? Mayhem? Violence? No.

They choose relatively small towns in out of the way places to be left alone. They just want to get together, drink, and have fun as a group without being bothered and without bothering others. Does it always work out this way? No.

What goes wrong? Virtually every problem the Hells Angels have at rallies and runs are caused by one of two things: Over-excited cops or alcohol-fueld locals with something to prove.

Months before the World Run, federal, state, and local law enforcement converge on the town to plan their security tactics, prepare for Armageddon, and generally go way overboard in just about every respect possible. What do the locals think of this? They generally hate it. Just like the everywhere else, the people in the towns realize that the presence of too many law enforcement officers all waiting for something to happen creates unnecessary tension amongs the town and it drives out the other tourists.

So. How are things going in Cody, Wyoming?

According to a quote in the Cody Enterprise:

“We’re not expecting any problems, but on the other hand we’re also prepared,” Police Chief Perry Rockvam said. “They’re excited and we’re excited. We’re looking forward to a fun time.”

What is meant by a “fun time” to officers in the Northwestern Wyoming town of around 9,000 people?

Let’s see whose coming to have fun:

Team Hells Angels - The Players
At most 1,500 Angels (most likely a highly exaggerated estimate)

Team Cop - The Players
Officers and SWAT teams from the following Wyoming areas: Cody, Big Horn Basin, Gillette, Riverton, Rock Springs, Laramie, Wheatland, Douglas and Jackson
Officers from Montana
Officers from Utah
Officers from Colorado
Federal agents
U.S. marshals
FBI
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
State Division of Criminal Investigation
Homeland Security
Wyoming Highway Patrol
Soldiers and airmen from the Wyoming Army and Air National Guard
A Blackhawk helicopter (my personal favorite overboard item)

Team Hells Angels -The Money.
Angels will drink and spend their own money to have a good time.

Team Cop - The Money
They Wyoming government will use 500,000. The National Guard will receive $75,000 for extra security, and $15,000 will go to Big Horn, Hot Springs and Washakie counties for their help with extra patrols.

Team Hells Angels - The Activities
Club members have been observed in many Cody businesses, frequenting Granny’s for breakfast, the Silver Dollar and other downtown stores, bars and restaurants. A number of the bikers have visited the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. Many have also attended the nightly gunfight show at the Irma Hotel and then stayed on at the hotel’s Silver Saddle Saloon. Others have enjoyed the Cody Nite Rodeo. A large party tent has been set up on the west side of Ponderosa Campground and club members have established a compound there. The Cody Ministerial Association and a Christian riding ministry are offering a free pancake breakfast daily for Hells Angels

Team Cop - The Activities
Standing in the doorway of the former law enforcement center and armed with a rifle, Sgt. Evan Bock of the Guard’s Cheyenne-based 115th Field Artillery Brigade said some of his unit were sent only to control access to and from the building.

Responding to a widespread public perception that officers have been pulling over many locals and tourists, Haines said that’s probably true.

“They are just being extra cautious,” he added. “Any time officers see a traffic violation, they are going to make a stop.”

In recent days law enforcement vehicles have been observed traveling in convoys of three-five cars on most highways leading into Cody.

The Reaction From The Locals
Gail Nace, owner of the Silver Dollar bar, said a good number of Hells Angels partied Monday night, with no incident. She said it’s like the Fourth of July all over again. All her liquor and beer distributors are on call for the week.

Spike Sheehan, owner of a Christmas decor store said:

“Everyone we’ve met from the group has been very polite,” said Spike Sheehan, owner of the store, who adds she was surprised to have Hells Angels members shopping in her Christmas store. “I think they were going out of their way to be friendly to us.”

“You’ve got to have some bucks to buy those bikes,” said Gene Bryan, executive director of the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce.

Cody Resident Ray Burns said:

“You don’t want families. They show up in a car. They go to Albertsons, buy a quart of milk, buy sandwiches and a loaf of bread, go back to the hotel and don’t spend a penny. You do not want families.

Retirees? You don’t want retirees. They pull up in their RV. Park at Wal-Mart for free. Buy their food and leave.

You want bikers. They show up. They eat. They drink. They raft. They go to the museum. They drink. They go have breakfast. They go up for a day ride on Chief Joseph. They’ll come back, they’ll drink and…” he stretches this part out a bit, “it’s allll cash.”

Barbara Hoy, an Arts and Crafts dealer believes the police may be stirring things up and that if anything hurts the “family trade,” it might be them. She says:

“I don’t think there will be a big problem if the police force shuts up. They’re making it too big a deal.”