Biker Michael Parr being hassled by the police
About 150 riders were pulled over in Woodenbong at the
weekend as part of a cross-border operation targeting outlaw criminal
motorcycle clubs. Police allege officers seized a prohibited weapon, and
issued 21 defect notices and 50 traffic infringements.
One man was also charged with using offensive language.
One of the riders, 58-year-old Michael Parr, said there was
a single member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club on the ride, with the rest coming from
social clubs.
“We had probably 20 to 30 social clubs on that ride, 97
registered bikes on the ride, all social club members,” he said. “Ages from about 18 through to 60, various physical
conditions, males and females.”
Mr Parr has alleged he was shoved by one of the officers
involved, and said as a returned serviceman and member of the Veterans
Motorcycle Club he expected better treatment. Biker Trash Network
“I leaned forward to him to say you are not going to
disrespect me,” he said. “I’ve gone overseas to fight for this country. I’ve got my
ribbon bars on my vest and you are showing me no respect. “Then he turns around and shoves me, so how do you think I
feel?”
Operation a crime prevention strategy, police say
But police have dubbed the joint-agency operation a success,
saying it enforced consorting legislation, firearm and traffic laws.
Officers from the New South Wales Police Force, Queensland
Police Service and Australian Federal Police carried out 70 random breath
tests, 30 drug tests and 69 bike and person searches as part of Operation
Chappell.
Tweed-Byron crime manager, Detective Chief Inspector Brendon
Cullen, said the operation aimed to disrupt any potential criminal activity on
the cross-border run.
“I would say that we intercepted the people before offences
were committed, and that was the whole strategy of the operation,” he said. “To stop them as soon as they come across the border so they
do not commit offences in this state. “So from that perspective I would say that’s very
successful.”
Detective Chief Inspector Cullen said the operation targeted
people who chose to associate with members of outlaw motorcycle gangs.
“This operation wants to send a clear message for those who
associate with these people who claim to be that 1 per cent of the population
that doesn’t abide by the law,” he said. “We will intercept them if they come across the border into
New South Wales. We’ll use the legislation that is available to us to make them
unwelcome in our state.”
Lawyer questions safety of mass stop
A Queensland lawyer said he was disgusted by the attitude of
police during the operation.
Chris Main, from Alibi Criminal Defence, said he had been
phoned by one of the riders involved, then called police at the scene to raise
his own concerns.
Mr Main said he questioned the safety of pulling a large
group of people over on the side of the road, including a diabetic rider who
needed water and to relieve himself.
“I was quite disgusted to hear that the police view, after
listening to what I had to say about safety and the comfort of the riders,
their view [was]‘I don’t care, we’re going to do what we like’,” he said.
Mr Main said as a civil libertarian, he was drawn to the
case.
“Motorcycle enthusiasts are a group of people who like
motorcycles. That is not criminal,” he said. “If government or police or whatever group suspects someone
of criminality, well then they can build a case, and they can charge them for
that criminal act" he said.
“I don’t think it’s suitable or appropriate for Parliament
to make laws which allow police to criminalise people, anyone, just on the
company that they choose or the hobbies they decide to undertake.”
SOURCE: BrinkWire