North Carolina - ~Authorities say they don't expect trouble from Outlaws~
NEWTON - As the bikers milled around the grounds of their Newton clubhouse, set up tents and bought and sold T-shirts and trinkets, Department of Justice Intelligence Officer Mike Will stood across the street and snapped pictures with a camera outfitted with a telephoto lens.
He said the club members had gathered in Newton for their National Run and club representatives have come from across the nation to discuss Outlaws business.
Bikers try to avoid the camera in Newton. Outlaws from all over have come to the county to discuss business.
"We track some of these groups throughout the year," he said. He added that he did not anticipate any trouble from the Outlaws this weekend.
Newton Police Chief Don Brown said outside law enforcement agencies notified his department in April that the Outlaws were planning to hold their annual meeting in Newton.
"We're preparing for it by adding additional staff, and we've notified local, state and federal agencies that they're going to be here this weekend," he said.
He was told there'd be at least 200 members here but suspects the actual number will be much higher.
"From talking to them and what I've heard from other agencies, they're not violent like they were in the '60s," Brown said. "I don't anticipate any issues."
The Outlaws' clubhouse is located on North Main Avenue just north of East 15th Street.
"This is their second clubhouse in Newton. They've been here for at least six to seven years and we've never had any problems with them," Brown said. "We haven't had any problems here."
Hickory Police Maj. Clyde Deal said this is the first national event the Outlaws have held in Newton. "All of the local law enforcement agencies have met and this is just one more event we're going to have to police," he said.
"We have spoken to the Outlaws' local leadership and they understand what we expect from them," Deal said. "What we want is for them to carry out their business with minimal interruption to other events and activities occurring in the county this weekend."
'It's my understanding that they'll be leaving the area after the weekend," Deal said.
Outlaws motorcycle club members declined to be interviewed.
DETAILS
Outlaws Motorcycle Club
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the Outlaws Motorcycle Club (Outlaws) has more than 1,700 members who belong to 176 chapters in the U.S. and in 12 foreign countries.
The Outlaws also identify themselves as the A.O.A. (American Outlaws Association) and the Outlaws Nation.
For more information on the Outlaws, go to the Department of Justice's Web site at www.usdoj.gov.
Disclaimer: The opinions in this article are solely those of the writer, and may not reflect the beliefs of anyone at Outlaw Biker World.
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