No police escort for annual Christmas toy run

Fairfield, California, USA (November 9, 2023) - Police Chief Dan Marshall said he would quit his job if the city forces his police officers to assist with a Christmas toy run, all because the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club are involved.

 

Photo: Operating Engineers Local 3

Over the decades-long Samoa Mission Christmas Toy Run, hundreds of motorcyclists, including Santa, parade down Fairfield streets. Fairfield police have served as an escort in the past. The chief says no more.



Community members asked Police Chief Dan Marshall to reconsider his stand. He stood firm, saying he doesn't want to put his officers in harm's way. The past two years Hell's Angels have participated, he said. "We do not support any criminal organization," he said during public comments at Tuesday night's city council meeting.

Toy Run will continue despite no police escort

The event is nearing its 20th anniversary. Last year, more than 400 toys were distributed, Gene Ahu, of Mission Samoa, said. Past toy runs have been done without a permit as a favor, Marshall said. He emphasized as long as the bikers follow the rules of the road, there should not be an issue. "I'm glad they are doing it," Marshall said.



Mayor Catherine "Cat" Moy and councilmembers Scott Tonnesen and Rick Vaccaro praised the event and offered their support for Marshall's decision. Many bikers involved in the ride stood in the council chamber's entryway during the discussion. The Toy Run is sponsored by Bad Boyz MC, Operating Engineers Local No. 3 and Mission Samoa.

Fire Erupts at Outlaws Motorcycle Clubhouse

Saginaw, Michigan, USA (November, 2, 2023) - About 11:24 p.m. on Monday, October 30, Saginaw firefighters received a call for smoke on the city’s West Side. Shortly thereafter, a Michigan State Police helicopter flying overhead reported a heat signature coming from a building on Durand Street, said Saginaw Interim Fire Chief Brandon Hausbeck.

 

At that, crews quickly upgraded their response to a structure fire. They arrived at 1903 Durand St., a private club of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, to see smoke emanating from it, Hausbeck said. Crews entered the building and extinguished the blaze. There were no civilians inside at the time, Hausbeck said.



The building sustained smoke and fire damage but is not a total loss. The estimated cost of damage, both to the structure and its contents, is $45,000, Hausbeck said.

Florida sheriff warns public about MC toy runs

Key West, Florida, USA (October 25, 2023) - Rick Ramsay, Monroe County Sheriff is urging the public to be aware of holiday toy drives that are being hosted by the Pagan's Motorcycle Club.

 

The sheriff seen an ad in the local paper for the "End of the Road Toy Run" by the PMC and LMC - The Pagan's Motorcycle Club and the Legend Motorcycle Club. Ramsey said that both clubs are criminal, outlaw motorcycle gangs that are involved in crime involving drugs, guns and violence in the community.

An important message from Sheriff Rick Ramsay: pic.twitter.com/VOAfHZUhyC

— Florida Keys Sheriff (@keyssheriff) October 24, 2023

In his social media message, Sheriff Ramsay says the Department of Justice has labeled the Pagan's as a criminal outlaw gang. Ramsay ended the video by saying “there are great organizations that people can team up with, but PMC is not one of them.”

Outlaws MC members charged with arson

North Providence, Rhode Island, USA (October 20, 2023) - Two members of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club were in court on charges related to two fires at the same location in Scituate. Prosecutors say the same detached garage off Tunk Hill Road caught fire around midnight on June 29th and 5:00 A.M. on July 6th. Investigators from the state fire marshal’s office said they found accelerant at the scene in both cases.

 

The defense attorney argued in court that his client was never there. “I haven’t heard that this young man’s anywhere near this place, other than he’s a friend of a guy,” the defense attorney said. “I know you too. Doesn’t mean we’re setting fires.”



Scituate police conceded that they weren’t able to place the accused at the scene, but they believe he’s the one who ordered the other member to set the two fires. Sgt. Matthew King said surveillance footage showed his car at the scene, and he recited text messages between the two men aloud in court.

While a specific motive for the alleged arson is unclear at this time, police allege that he and the victim had a disagreement with one another. Both are due back in court next week for a status hearing.