Law enforcement flock to Waco for gang conference

MCLENNAN COUNTY - Law enforcement officials from across the country met at McLennan Community College for four days for a private conference about policing the growth of motorcycle gangs.

The conference, put on by the Midwest Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Investigators Association out of St. Louis, MO, was scheduled before the Twin Peaks shooting May 17 after investigators saw rising tensions between motorcycle gangs on the rise in Central Texas.

"We do a considerable amount of talking about these confederations and coalitions... and try to make them understand a little bit the motives behind these is other than what they advertise," MOMGIA Executive Director, Steve Cook said.

Cook, who's gone undercover with motorcycle gangs in the past, agreed to allow News Channel 25 to report on the conference, but only until after it was over. This was to protect the identities of officers still undercover.

Behind locked doors, officers learned how motorcycle gangs operate, often dealing in drug and human trafficking. Gangs often transport and sell methamphetamine and have a structure similar to military or para-military organizations. Cook said they've seen an influx of gang members that are also a part of motorcycle clubs and club confederations.

"They're absolutely gangs. If you're wearing a 1-percent diamond and you're associating with the individuals these people and associating with the kinds of activities they are, they're a gang by any classification and to take it a step further, they're organized crime," Cooks said.

Cook said nothing much changed in what the officers were learning in the four day long classes because of the Twin Peaks shooting. He said the shooting is just the latest in a long line of biker gang related incidents across the country.

"It's rampant. They're spreading all across the country, all over the world for that matter...You're either going to pay attention to these guys or you're going to ignore them," Cook said.

No worries.

Just as they say a conservative is a liberal who got mugged I’m a police skeptic because I’ve dealt with police abuse first hand.

There are good cops, it’s true. Sadly, the good cops have a hard time finding their voice when the bad cops do what bad cops do and anymore I have come to expect the worst of police departments and some sheriff’s departments.

I also apply the same standards to the police as I do to anyone else and if it’s wrong for a citizen to do something then it’s wrong for a cop to do it, too.

There are some people who disagree with me and they’re entitled to their opinions.

Lately I stand with the FReeper who said,

“I do not support the police! I support the Constitution and so should they!”

“I also like run-on sentences so deal with it and maybe we can be friends someday and have a nice conversation over coffee and fresh, homemade beignets!”

Yum! Looking forward to the conversation, coffee and beignets! I did try making them myself once, after a visit to New Orleans. If you can make them, makes me want to stop over for said coffee and conversation! ; )

I also agree with run-on-sentences and thank you for your service as a Mom.

Servus.

There are differences of “takes” on this all. But we have to realize we are communicating with real people, with real lives. Thanks for sharing yours.

McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna said “I’ve heard enough about my person was a victim and most of the people were victims. Well, guess what? If they’re victims they shouldn’t have any problem coming to law enforcement and cooperating to be sure justice is done and the individuals solely responsible are brought to justice. And, through the first round of interviews we aren’t getting that.”

http://www.agingrebel.com/12940

"cooperating to be sure justice is done and the individuals solely responsible are brought to justice". Which is what all of us here want, that the individuals SOLELY RESPONSIBLE be brought to justice. I wondered early on about the typical gang code of silence. I have no doubt it has been in play to a greater or lesser extent. I didn't focus on that much in my comments, though it has been on my mind. Well now the DA said it. It is out in the open. Their loyalty is apparently more to their über-gang-Meisters, NOT to the Truth, not to their fellow bikers, not even to their own families or to the safety of the community at large -- to the extent they do not break the omerta and testify to the Truth as they know it: [o·mer·tà ōˈmertə/ noun (as practiced by the Mafia) a code of silence about criminal activity and a refusal to give evidence to authorities.] Why not? Well, loyalty is one thing. Fear is another inducement which criminal gangs freely use to enforce compliance. The criminal gangs do not care about the Little Fry, the hangers-on, whom they will let ride with them, and use for their purposes, as long as it is convenient. No, then the Devil gets his due. Loyalty not enough? Then fear. You want to die? You want your family to die? etc.? In your innocent association with our gang as a mere hanger-on, did you not willingly or unwillingly see something you did not report, or even take part in something you would not want your family or the police to know about?? OH and doesn't the real gang know how to bring that situation about for their underlings? HA! That is modus operandi 101 for criminal gangs. Speculation? The above is my deduction about the undeniable use of Omerta in the hierarchy of criminal gangs, logically used by these gangs as well. And why would they not? It works so well for them. Gangs do as gangs are. I pray for the ones whose loyalty is no longer enough and have to fear for their and their families' lives, to have the courage to speak to the Truth. RICO, I am no fan of it, but its only legitimate purpose is to break up and bring to justice the evilest ones of the organized criminal gangs. The evilest of them shelter themselves with layers of underlings -- bought and paid for by loyalty and fear. That is why organized criminal gangs are so dangerous. They even spit out their own, to save their own hides. The above sounds like rhetoric a bit over the top, even to my ears. But is that the way gangs operate, or not??? Servus. Yes cops should tell the truth as well. No fear of losing respect or a job is worth lying for. There are other jobs out there . . . . And the rewards of a clear conscience.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.