Hollister
– The big check has been passed and hotels are slowly filling
up, but many are wondering what security measures will be taken for
the Hollister Independence Rally in July.
Hollister – The big check has been passed and hotels are slowly filling up, but many are wondering what security measures will be taken for the Hollister Independence Rally in July.
Police Chief Jeff Miller remains relatively mum on his $362,000 plan for public safety, the cost of which was paid up front by rally organizers. Miller won’t say what outside agencies have agreed to assist local law enforcement or how many officers will be deployed.
The chief said the department has a basic plan in place, but doesn’t want criminals knowing how many officers will be on duty for safety reasons.
However, with the new pedestrian friendly layout of the rally, less officers will be standing along San Benito Street than in previous years, Miller said.
“You won’t see those same posts for the officers,” he said. “It’s going to be more mobile.”
Miller said he is a fan of the layout, which includes many safety advantages, including east access to the rally for police and fire.
Rally organizer Seth Doulton, of Horse Power Promotions, hopes the layout will make people feel less congested.
“Even if we get more people at the event this year it’s going to seem like there’s less people,” he said.
Doulton said the rally’s hours, down nine hours total from previous years, could help reduce the amount of police needed.
Robbie Scattini, Hollister’s former mayor and member of the Hollister Independence Rally Committee, called the policing at the 2006 unofficial rally “inappropriate.” Scattini said many bikers and residents alike felt the law enforcer presence in and around Hollister was too strong. The 2006 rally was canceled, but thousands of motorcyclists still roared into town last July.
Although he is disappointed that the bikes will not be front and center on San Benito Street this year, Scattini believes the new layout will help law enforcement.
“I think it’s going to be better for the police,” Scattini said.
Miller is still coordinating efforts with other agencies. In past years, assisting agencies have included the Modesto, Ceres, Kingsburg, Watsonville and Monterey police departments; and the California Department of Justice, Department of Alcohol Beverage Control and state parole officers, he said.
The number of officers on patrol during the rally will continue to shift not only as the bikers begin to roll in, but during the rally itself. If the rally is relatively quiet, officers will be sent home early, Miller said.
During the 2005 rally, which drew more than 120,000 people, more than 100 officers were on patrol and 65 people were arrested, Miller said. Last year, during the unofficial rally, no more than 90 officers were on patrol at any given time and 39 people were arrested.
