Hells Angels get apology from Denver

Denver Post ^ | 24 jan 08

[rellimpank]

For the second time in five years, Denver Police have apologized to the Hells Angels motorcycle club for possibly violating the group's Constitutional rights.

In a settlement released Thursday, attorney David Lane said Denver and Mountain View Police agreed to pay a total of $14,000 to the group, and apologize for a Sept. 2, 2005 traffic stop in Mountain View

[rellimpank]

--humor break--(unless you pay taxes in Denver)--

[fortheDeclaration]

During that stop, which the Angels lawsuit said was made without probable cause, Denver Police arrived for backup and held the Hells Angels at the rifle-point for about an hour while each was searched.

They are hells angels that is enough for 'probable cause'.

And we are going to win the WOT with this PC nonsense!

[TheBlueMax]

Oh, for the love of G@d! That’s what it’s come down too, my friends. The police have to apologize to the Angel’s because their feelings were hurt. BTW, for those of you who might side with the Hell’s Angels’ on this one, just imagine the probable cause one would have just explaining the propensensity for violence the Angel’s have, and how they make their money, i.e. drugs. Case closed.

[uglybiker]

HOOLIGAN PING

[servantboy777]

What...only people that look like, you, have rights.

[fortheDeclaration]

What...only people that look like, you, have rights.

Hells angels is a known criminal gang, just like the Mafia.

Thus, they should be harassed every chance the police get to do so.

[weegee]

Either it is profiling or it isn’t. And how many times have they held other suspects under a gun while they were searched?

[weegee]

Police are a gang too. Lots of corruption on the inside.

Not all “outlaw bikers” engage in criminal enterprise and neither do all cops. But one gang has “the law” on their side and operate a legal shakedown racket for the State.

[Melas]

Sorry, the only way we can guarantee that we’ll enjoy protect from unwarranted searches is if every one is protected from unwarranted searches, even Hell’s Angels. This was wrong, period.

[fortheDeclaration]

Police are a gang too. Lots of corruption on the inside.

Now, don't get goofy!

I much rather see a police car coming along aside of me then a gang of hells angels!

[Melas]

What’s wrong with you that you’re openly advocating harassment (a crime) in a conservative forum?

[fortheDeclaration]

Either it is profiling or it isn’t.

And what is wrong with profiling?

I think police need to deal with those more likely to be involved in a crime then little old ladies.

[dljordan]

“And we are going to win the WOT with this PC nonsense!”

Read your tag line. People don’t lose their rights according to what group they belong to.

[zencat]

Thus, they should be harassed every chance the police get to do so.

Citizens should be harassed without probable cause by the police?

The fact that they are officers of the law makes that statement all the more repugnant.

[dljordan]

“Hells angels is a known criminal gang, just like the Mafia.”

Libs think gun owners are a criminal gang too.

[fortheDeclaration]

What’s wrong with you that you’re openly advocating harassment (a crime) in a conservative forum?

Yes, I believe gangs of criminals should be constantly harassed and made to be as uncomfortable as possible.

That is the one of the costs of being a criminal or hanging with criminals.

[massgopguy]

Around 1980, the HA’s started wearing suits and carrying brief cases. And don’t even think about copyright infringement.

[fortheDeclaration]

Libs think gun owners are a criminal gang too.

Hells Angels are criminals, what they are involved in is against the law.

Libs harrass gun owners but give Hells Angels settlements.

[fortheDeclaration]

Citizens should be harassed without probable cause by the police? The fact that they are officers of the law makes that statement all the more repugnant.

When a gang of Hells Angel thugs drive into a town, they should be stopped by the police and checked.

It is a criminal gang.

Citizens-LOL!

[hiredhand]

...and when the authorities determine that you and I are criminals because an ATF Form-4473 reveals that we own assault weapons, then we too will deserve to be harassed every chance the police get?

Due process, rule of law, and the application of the law must be indiscriminate, otherwise you and I, and everybody else are in grave danger.

[zencat]

Hells Angels are criminals, what they are involved in is against the law.

Hey fail-tard, harassment is against the law. But they're the cops, so I guess it's to be overlooked.

[Melas]

Why do I have this disturbing feeling that somehow this would be extended not to just Hell’s Angels but bikers everywhere?

[fortheDeclaration]

Read your tag line. People don’t lose their rights according to what group they belong to.

The Constitution does not state that the people have to lose all common sense and ignore reality.

A criminal has given up his right to be treated like a law abiding citizen.

That is why after a child is abducted, they question known pedophiles.

Do you think that is profiling as well?

[zencat]

Citizens-LOL!

Wow, so now they're not even citizens? And apparently not subject to the protections of the 4th Amendment?

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

Are you trying to make FreeRepublic look bad?

[fortheDeclaration]

Why do I have this disturbing feeling that somehow this would be extended not to just Hell’s Angels but bikers everywhere?

Oh no, the poor bikers are next!

[TheBlueMax]

I agree with you completely, that no citizen should be searched without probable cause. But, as I have been in both the local and federal level of law enforcement, I can categorically state that the Hell's Angels are a criminal organization, that serves no other purpose than to commit criminal acts. Probable cause is not difficult to produce if you can articulate what facts you have, and the circumstances that this incident occurred under. Don't get confused with Mom and Pop walking down the street, verses a criminal gang with numerous local, state and federal convictions for weapons and narcotics charges being stopped and detained after an officer observes a criminal act.

[fortheDeclaration]

Wow, so now they're not even citizens? And apparently not subject to the protections of the 4th Amendment? "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." Are you trying to make FreeRepublic look bad?

The criminal is subject to alot of restrictions on his 'constitutional rights' since he has a criminal record.

That is why when a crime is committed, police go to the criminal records and then to the criminals themselves to see if they were involved in that crime.

Now, why do you try to keep bring in FR in the discussion?

[zencat]

A criminal has given up his right to be treated like a law abiding citizen.

One is innocent until proven guilty in a criminal court of law. Until then, no rights are forfeited, they are enshrined and should be dutifully protected by officers of the law.

Something tells me you'd be a terrific micro-manger.

[Melas]

Oh trust me, as a biker myself, I’m acutely aware that many like you can’t tell the difference.

[EricT.]

LOL, They only had to pay $14K to search known members of a criminal enterprise without seriously endangering the officers lives?

Sounds like a good deal to me.

[rockrr]

There’s nothing wrong with profiling as long as they are prepared to pay the price for the consequences of screwing up.

Denver just got taught that lesson...

[zencat]

Now, why do you try to keep bring in FR in the discussion?

I don't, I only said it once. However, advocating that the police harass citizens without probable cause is ridiculous. If probable cause exists, they should be able to easily produce and provide verification for it.

[fortheDeclaration]

There’s nothing wrong with profiling as long as they are prepared to pay the price for the consequences of screwing up. Denver just got taught that lesson...

Paying criminals is being taught a lesson!

Do we pay pedophiles when the police bring them in for questioning for wrongly 'profiling' them?

[fortheDeclaration]

[Now, why do you try to keep bring in FR in the discussion?]

I don't, I only said it once. However, advocating that the police harass citizens without probable cause is ridiculous. If probable cause exists, they should be able to easily produce and provide verification for it.

They are a gang driving around like thugs.

Ofcourse the police should check them out and see if they are carrying anything illegal.

[purpleraine]

Let’s pass the hat for nest year’s fines.

[GeneralisimoFranciscoFranco]

What’s wrong with you that you’re openly advocating harassment (a crime) in a conservative forum?

How about advocatng shooting them on sight like the scum they are? I guess that would really be too much for you eh?

[zencat]

They are a gang driving around like thugs.

Being in a gang or driving around are not unlawful activities. If they violate traffic laws, vehicle licensing, noise ordinances, etc., then pull them over. Otherwise, the police are little more than a gang themselves.

[fortheDeclaration]

Coronado is a patrol officer and resident motorcycle gang expert with the Ventura Police Department. He helped coordinate the multijurisdictional effort to contain the bikers when they arrived for their 1998 World Run

The chaos in Steamboat, Coronado says, “opened our eyes, and it should have.”

As soon as he learned the bikers were riding for his town, Coronado began briefing other cops about the realities of a possible Hells Angels takeover.

“Chief (Michael) Tracy decided we weren’t going to let them take over our city,” Coronado says. “They were going to come whether we liked it or not, but they were going to come under our rules.”

Those rules, laid down beneath the palms that line the sun-soaked streets, were enforced by a phalanx of cops, making the town look like an occupied city, according to some downtown merchants.

“The whole thing was real successful because we policed them to death,” Coronado remembers. “There were more cops here than they had ever seen.”

Because Coronado knew Christie well, and because the Hells Angels were a regular presence in his town, he wasn’t, like Steamboat’s Jensen, lulled by the promises of the roaring dervish. Instead, he listened, he negotiated and he called for backup.

“Every expert we talked to said the only thing the Hells Angels respect is a show of force, but you’ve got to have the manpower to back it up,” he says
http://www.missoulian.com/specials/hellsangels/ha04.html

[dragnet2]

When a gang of Hells Angel thugs drive into a town, they should be stopped by the police and checked. It is a criminal gang.

I see, they are supposed to go after every Hells Angel while the police and federal government all but ignore, and actually aid and abet millions of illegal aliens, aliens that smuggle in 700 tons of dope a year, while at the same time demanding the American citizens pay for this invasion?

You do realize illegal alien gangs kill and injure many times more people than the Hell Angeles, right?

Why don't the police go after them?

[Melas]

Big talk. How many have you shot on sight? Yeah, that’s what I thought.

[fortheDeclaration]

Isee, they are supposed to go after every Hells Angel while the police and federal government all but ignore, and actually aid and abet millions of illegal aliens, aliens that smuggle in 700 tons of dope a year, while at the same time demanding the American citizens pay for this invasion? You do realize illegal alien gangs kill and injure many times more people than the Hell Angeles, right? Why don't the police go after them?

Did I say they shouldn't?

[BraveMan]

NOTE TO SELF: Refrain from driving like thugs . . .

Reminds me of that Bob Seeger tune, “Get Out of Denver”

‘Cause you look just like a Commie
and you might just a member baby,
Get out of Denver baby,
Get out of Denver baby . . .

[dragnet2]

Why don’t the police go after them?

[Melas]

Yeah, stop that thuggish driving around on your motorscooter of death, ya hooligan.

[fortheDeclaration]

[They are a gang driving around like thugs.]

Being in a gang or driving around are not unlawful activities. If they violate traffic laws, vehicle licensing, noise ordinances, etc., then pull them over. Otherwise, the police are little more than a gang themselves.

The police are not a 'gang' they protect the citizens from law breakers.

If the Hells Angels drive into a town, with their history, the police have every right and responsiblity to check them and let them know that they are not the law.

[BlueNgold]

The term outlaw biker by definition means they are .. outlaws.
The Hells Angels is one of the most violent and well organize criminal enterprises in the world. An H/A patch alone should be enough for PC - just like a recognized gang tattoo in south central.

[fortheDeclaration]

Why don’t the police go after them?

Probably afraid of being sued for 'profiling', the same reason the airlines let young Arab men on a plane but search 80yr old ladies.

[pandoraou812]

Yes, I believe gangs of criminals should be constantly harassed and made to be as uncomfortable as possible.

If they are riding through town & minding their own business why harass them? If there is a cause to stop them by all means do so with lots of backup. Seems to me the judge didn't agree with you so they got their settlement. Should we stop every car/truck that have Mexicans in them looking for MS-13 too? Or other gangs? If you are a biker & look mean the cops have the right to stop you? lmao. If so I guess more guys will get settlements too. I don't think all cops will agree with you on this one. Why would they want to bother a large group if they are minding their business & riding through town? Let them ride through & go on their way without risk to anyone.

[fortheDeclaration]

Oh trust me, as a biker myself, I’m acutely aware that many like you can’t tell the difference.

I don't have to tell the difference, the police do and they have experts in that field.

[dragnet2]

I much more concerned with the police and the Feds standing by watching 25,000,000 illegal aliens entering this country, creating nationwide chaos, violent crime and epic fraud, than some biker club.