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| Forces Special Enforcement Unit of BC |
When even the police cannot identify who is who in the motorcycle world how in the HE Double Hockey Sticks is anyone else supposed to understand us?
In their report on GANGS, the Combined Forces Special Enforces Unit actually claims that three piece patch is and indication that one is in an outlaw 1% GANG.
Seriously, that's what they state:
The official “uniform” of all Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMGs) is their “Colours,” which always remain the property of the club. The Hells Angels colours consist of a three-piece patch, which signifies to law enforcement that the club is an outlaw one-percenter motorcycle gang. The term “one-percenter” is an historical term that was used to distinguish the outlaw motorcycle gangs from the majority of law-abiding motorcycle enthusiasts following violent riots in Hollister, California in 1947. Numerous OMGs have since adopted the term. If you look closely, you will see the 1% designation on an OMG jacket or vest.
Either the police services are blatantly attempting to make people believe that all three piece patches are criminal or gang related OR they are VERY mis informed and uneducated about the patch hierarchy of the motorcycle community.
I took such offence that I wrote their Communications and Media Person, here is my letter:
Dear Sgt. Lindsey Houghton,
I read with great dismay your report on OMG's. (http://www.cfseu.bc.ca/en/as-
I often wondered why so many NON 1%, outlaw clubs are targeted for special attention where none is warranted, now I know.
There is one sentence that is so false and so wrong in your report: "The Hells Angels colours consist of a three-piece patch, which signifies to law enforcement that the club is an outlaw one-percenter motorcycle gang. "
As a motorcycle journalist, I have written a number of articles on the motorcycle community and our patches and cuts to educate new riders as to who is who and how to identify them.
Perhaps it is time the BEU and others educate themselves as to the nature of the various cuts in our community.
Just because someone who wants to introduce an outlaw club into a territory goes and speaks with the dominant club in the region to get permission to wear their cut does not make them affiliated with the dominant (usually but not always a 1% club).
Getting permission means that the new Outlaw MC is not cutting into the territory or business of the 1% club. It means not getting their asses beat every time a 1%er sees a 3 piece outlaw cut they don't recognize. When the dominant club has approved a cut to be worn by a new Outlaw Club, the rest of the members of the dominant now know to leave the Outlaw MC alone, that they are not a threat to their territory or business.
The three piece patch is about earning it not buying it.
Not all Outlaw MC's are 1% but ALL 1% Clubs are Outlaw Clubs.
I urge you to educate yourselves and properly inform the civilian who does not ride, the truth of our community.
You are doing a great disservice to the entire motorcycle community by making statements that are patently false and misrepresent our community.
I have included links to two of the many articles I have written on patches and cuts in an effort to help educate your officers as to the truth about our patches and cuts:
http://beltdrivebetty.
If the statement in your article were true, then there would be a ton of Law Enforcement Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs that would be considered 1% Motorcycle Gangs.
Sincerely,
Renee "Belt Drive Betty" Charbonneau
Belt Drive Betty Media
Editor- The Busted Knuckle Chronicles
I'd love your thoughts and comments on this topic!
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Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
Hey Rene... this link is not working...
ReplyDeletehttp://beltdrivebetty.blogspot.in/2014/07/a-little-education-on-mc-world.html
Excellent article as always...
Try again - the link worked fine for me.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you Don.