OPP investigating 'threats of violence' between Hells Angels and Outlaw bikers
Incidents allegedly happened during the Friday the 13th biker gathering in Port Dover
Provincial police are investigating two separate incidents involving "threats of violence and intimidation" between members of the Hells Angels and Outlaw biker gangs in Port Dover on Friday the 13th.
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OPP: Friday the 13th motorcycle rally in Port Dover a 'relatively peaceful' event
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Don't support organized crime by buying biker gear in Port Dover: OPP
On July 11, police warned motorcycle enthusiasts planning to attend the popular rally that tensions were mounting between the rival gangs.
But in a media release issued after the weekend where an estimated 200,000 descended on the community, the OPP described the weekend as "relatively peaceful."
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OPP?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OPP</a> would like to thank all our community partners <a href="https://twitter.com/NoCoFire?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NoCoFire</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/NorfolkEMS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NorfolkEMS</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/NorfolkTour?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NorfolkTour</a> for all their assistance during <a href="https://twitter.com/Fri13PortDover?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Fri13PortDover</a>. Drive safe, ride safe and see you in September 2019. ^es <a href="https://t.co/jbfZtvXXcX">pic.twitter.com/jbfZtvXXcX</a>
—@OPP_WRNine days later, the OPP's Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau published another media release, this time asking members of the public who were in town during the event for help.
Anyone with information is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Tips can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
A boon for local businesses
The mass motorcycle gathering happens every Friday the 13th and is part of a tradition that dates back to 1981 when a Port Dover motorcycle shop owner met up with some friends.
It's a major source of income for businesses located on the north shore of Lake Erie, about an hour southwest of Hamilton.
John Wells, Norfolk County's councillor for the ward that includes Port Dover, said he was downtown working in the beer tent on both Thursday and Friday night during the rally. He said he wasn't aware of any threats or intimidation taking place at the time.
"It was a very successful event," he said. "I'm not saying there weren't problems. I'm just saying I wasn't aware of them."
Wells said the presence of gangs is noticeable because of they wear specific patches and clothing, but added people tend to police themselves and be on their best behaviour during the event.
"Any problems we have had haven't been caused by different gangs or groups of different bikers," Wells explained.
But he did admit that having gangs in town could lead to issues.
"I guess there is the possibility that in the past these groups of individuals may have met each other at a different venue and sometimes when they meet again the remember the past."
Extremely well-behaved people
Still, he said Port Dover has hosted dozens of the rallies over the years, all without any "major problems," despite the sense that people outside the town are "just waiting for something [bad] to happen.
"We attribute a certain reputation to bikers and from what I can see, from the Friday the 13ths that they've had here that reputation is not something they bring with them. They are extremely well-behaved people and I'm pleased to welcome them to my community."
with files from the Canadian Press