March 06, 2006

Police Biker Gangs In Wyoming
By Nathan Barton

Dear Nathan A. Barton, I have read your articles, Police Biker Gangs in Wyoming. I'm disappointed to see your criticism of law enforcement harassing the motorists. I am a police officer in Wyoming and I have assisted Hulett Police Department in the past during the Ham and Jam.

Not only am I a police officer, I enjoy riding my Harley to the Sturgis Rally for the week of fun. I have also been accused of harassing bikers who attend the rally. It has never been my intention to mistreat anyone for any reason, but when I wear the uniform I am obligated to work in the best interest and safety of the community I serve. I know many people who are contacted by law enforcement because they have violated a law describe the contact as harassment.

Please understand that in Wyoming, we are taught to treat people equally no matter who they are, how they look or what type of vehicle they drive. This doesn't mean that all officers treat people the same. This just means that this is what we are taught. If an officer targets bikers or people for the way they look it lowers the integrity of all law enforcement. I don't know of an officer who intentionally mistreats or targets bikers. In our community, the bikers are welcome and we enjoy seeing them each year. Even though the business community benefit from the increased traffic, (motels, convenience stores, bars and restaurants), no law enforcement agency, that I know of, want to benefit from the revenue which is created by the increased traffic.

Your article also talks about South Dakota giving a Governor, "Preferential Treatment" and South Dakota setting up Safety Checkpoint Stations". Wyoming is not South Dakota and our legislature doesn't allow Safety Checkpoint Stations. In Wyoming, an officer is required to have probable cause to believe someone has violated a statute or ordinance to stop and seize a motorist, even for a moment.

This is a feedback response to your article. I know officers nation wide are entrusted and given authority but some take it to an extreme but you shouldn't criticize all officers from one state because of some officers from another state. I also believe in the past bikers, may have been given a bad reputation but all bikers shouldn't be criticized because of the mistakes of a few. In the mean time, police will continue to contact motorist for whatever reason and bikers are welcome to attend the coolest rally. in the land. Kevin Edwards

I appreciate getting the feedback. Clearly, you were not reading carefully as I never accused all - or even a majority - of officers of anything. Nor did I say that Wyoming was to blame for South Dakota. Wyoming officers are, for the most part, good people, but there are a goodly number of bad apples - the kind who will let ten Wyoming plated cars go by at 85 in a 75 mile zone and then stop an out-of-state plate for doing 81, and getting passed by the rest. But the real problem is with the administration that strips the rest of the state of a needed resource (highway courtesy patrols) because of a perception from the next-door neighbor.

Still, you make some good points - and Hulett is a good town. I know a lot of people there, even though I don't get over there too often these days. Hopefully, in 2006 the Sheriffs of Weston and Crook Counties can tell the State Patrol "Thank you, but no - we can handle things ourselves." And hopefully, Wyoming will NOT emulate South Dakota's piratical behavior during Rally Week.

Nathan

Down With Democracy!
By Lady Liberty

The problem starts in our schools. While in high school I was taught most of the intent of the "Bill of Rights", I was incorrectly taught we had a "democracy". I had a better than average teacher. Our current high schoolers are being taught by teachers that have even a less informed approach, hence the current percentage of high school students that think the press should be censored, and the Patriot Act is a "good" law.

This country is screwed in that our future leadership has no clue what brought about the formation of this country. Wonderful summation that you wrote. It ought to be mandatory reading for all citizens. B.

Luckily, a good many of our future leaders and businessmen/women are being educated at home or in private schools. Most of these young people are learning the truth and growing up with personal responsibility for themselves and their families.

Unfortunately, most of those in government "schools" will have a great deal to unlearn in the challenging years ahead, but there is good reason to believe that many of them can and will make that transition. Many already have - and it was through voluntary action and free speech, not mandatory reading. Nobody can be forced to think for themselves or live free. MamaLiberty

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Thanks! MamaLiberty

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