Police chief shares details of biker gang precautions
‘Our goal was to be prepared to protect the community should anything get out of control, it was that simple.’
– Paso Robles Police Chief Robert Burton today discussed new details regarding the precautionary measures taken last Friday in preparation for the Vagos motorcycle club traveling through town. Dozens of law enforcement officers from around the county surrounded the police station Friday night and barricaded Pine and Park streets.
“The Paso Robles Police Department and San Luis Obispo County Gang Task Force received information that the Vagos outlaw motorcycle club and other motorcycle clubs would be gathering in Northern San Luis Obispo County over the weekend. We had information that they would be staying in and around the city of Paso Robles starting on Friday. Due to the fact that the gathering would draw members from across the US and other countries, and (due to) the fact the Vagos are a documented outlaw motorcycle gang by the federal government, I took the necessary precautions to protect this community,” Burton said.
Groups of bikers, like this one outside Motel 6, visited Paso Robles this weekend.
Burton confirmed that the Vagos did travel through Paso Robles on Friday, beginning in the morning. The department learned about the Vagos’ intended route through police intelligence. Burton said that this was not the first time that the department has carried out such as operation. No incidents were reported during the bikers’ visit.
“Although we did not expect any major issues surrounding the gathering, it is well known that should any rival outlaw motorcycle gangs decide to gather here at the same time we could certainly experience violence between the gangs which could affect the safety of our community members. In addition, there is always the potential for things to get out of control with a large gathering without a rival gang in the area,” he said.
“For the above reasons I asked for support from allied law enforcement agencies over the weekend. Our goal was to be prepared to protect the community should anything get out of control, it was that simple. The planning for the weekend was a success and we did not have any major issues that threatened the public’s safety. If at any time had we experienced any issues I would have notified the public of any immediate threat to their safety…My job is to ensure our community and visitors are protected, and that is what was accomplished this past weekend.”
Additional officer support was called in from every agency in the district, and streets were blocked off around the police station to provide additional parking for the officers, according to Burton. Heightened patrol was also employed throughout the city.
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