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.
Nice work chief. Extra precaustions were prudent. Too many people will second guess this incident to death and the reality is this, they came and went, and the PD was prepared. Many residents thank you and stand ready to support a proactive police force. The garbage we see in the news back east….are not going to have happen here. We support our police and appreciate them!
It was a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation. If these precautions hadn't been taken and something bad happened (not very likely, but there's always a chance) we'd have never heard the end of it, and believe me you'd have people jumping at the chance to sue. I realize that generally speaking, bikers are good people and aren't out to raise hell – but there are always exceptions to the rule that sully and tarnish the image of bikers and motorcycle clubs.
Thank you for having the best interests of our community at heart! There is indeed a great difference between a motorcycle club and a motorcycle gang.
Thank you for being proactive instead of reactive. Great Job!
At least it wasn't another Wacco event where they shot and arrested innocent people
plain and simple case of paranoia run amok by the police.
Can you do the same for the drug dealers who aid at killing kids with heroin and outher drugs? Or maybe you can arrest gang members?
What a joke
Town was safer with the Vagos there than with all the cops
As a local resident I applaud the action taken. My grandchildren live her too and they are out at the movies on occasion..it was good to know the PD were prepared. An ounce of precaution is worth a pound of cure…
As a local resident I applaud the action taken. My grandchildren live her too and they are out at the movies on occasion..it was good to know the PD were prepared. An ounce of precaution is worth a pound of cure…
When are the police going to protect the public from the organized-crime racketeering of the public-employee unions???? Wait….the police are the racketeering, organized-crime thugs of the public-employee unions.
Hysterias based on falsehoods is the primary modus operandi of the left. One can say that without hysteria there is no left.
And a good time was had by all… The pasoroblesdailynews.com should ask some local businesses how the Vagos conducted themselves while visiting your town.
Nice work chief. Extra precaustions were prudent. Too many people will second guess this incident to death and the reality is this, they came and went, and the PD was prepared. Many residents thank you and stand ready to support a proactive police force. The garbage we see in the news back east….are not going to have happen here. We support our police and appreciate them!
It was a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation. If these precautions hadn't been taken and something bad happened (not very likely, but there's always a chance) we'd have never heard the end of it, and believe me you'd have people jumping at the chance to sue. I realize that generally speaking, bikers are good people and aren't out to raise hell – but there are always exceptions to the rule that sully and tarnish the image of bikers and motorcycle clubs.
Thank you for having the best interests of our community at heart! There is indeed a great difference between a motorcycle club and a motorcycle gang.
Thank you for being proactive instead of reactive. Great Job!
At least it wasn't another Wacco event where they shot and arrested innocent people
plain and simple case of paranoia run amok by the police.
Can you do the same for the drug dealers who aid at killing kids with heroin and outher drugs? Or maybe you can arrest gang members?
What a joke
Town was safer with the Vagos there than with all the cops
As a local resident I applaud the action taken. My grandchildren live her too and they are out at the movies on occasion..it was good to know the PD were prepared. An ounce of precaution is worth a pound of cure…
As a local resident I applaud the action taken. My grandchildren live her too and they are out at the movies on occasion..it was good to know the PD were prepared. An ounce of precaution is worth a pound of cure…
When are the police going to protect the public from the organized-crime racketeering of the public-employee unions???? Wait….the police are the racketeering, organized-crime thugs of the public-employee unions.
Hysterias based on falsehoods is the primary modus operandi of the left. One can say that without hysteria there is no left.
And a good time was had by all… The pasoroblesdailynews.com should ask some local businesses how the Vagos conducted themselves while visiting your town.