NCJ Number
198532
Journal
Gazette Volume: 64 Issue: 3 Dated: 2002 Pages: 13-15
Editor(s)
Heather Hamilton
Date Published
2002
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the public relations war between outlaw biker gangs and the police as each seeks to portray an image of the characteristics of biker gangs.
Abstract
Leaders of outlaw biker gangs involved in serious criminal activities seek to perpetuate the romantic image of bikers as a brotherhood of like-minded individualists with a passion for motorcycles, the open road, and harmless adventure. The public is seduced by this image of the rebel, anti-hero who dares to challenge mainstream lifestyles. To perpetuate this image and foster public acceptance of biker gangs, gangs such as the Hells Angels, Outlaws, and Bandidos sell merchandise with their logos or club images to the public over the Internet and at biker events. The true nature of outlaw motorcycle gangs was revealed in a recent task force study (April 2001) that found 85 percent of known members of outlaw biker gangs in Ontario have criminal records, with 83 percent of them belonging to the Hells Angels. Of the total number of outlaw motorcycle gang members with criminal records, 53 percent have convictions that involve drugs, violence, and weapons. Recent police figures show that in Quebec, from January 1, 1994, to July 9, 2002, there have been 163 gang-related murders, 10 that involved innocent bystanders or those with no ties to the gangs. Law enforcement agencies must do a better job in countering the public image of biker gangs as harmless rebels by making public the criminal activities of these biker gangs, which are in fact sophisticated organized crime enterprises.