SCHENECTADY COUNTY Bikers sue over roadblocks, stops BY STEVEN COOK Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Steven Cook at 395-3122 or scook@dailygazette.net.
A group of motorcyclists this week filed suit against Schenectady County and the state police, alleging bikers have been unfairly targeted outside rallies. The bikers filed the suit in federal court, saying their civil rights were violated by a roadblock during last year’s Harley Rendezvous in Duanesburg. The bikers also filed suit against Erie County, in western New York, concerning similar roadblocks tied to a rally over the border in Ontario, Canada. The roadblock, they allege, targeted only motorcyclists and not vehicles in general. They also intended to harass motorcyclists traveling to the rally and were an unreasonable search, the suit alleges. Mitchell Proner, the listed attorney for the bikers, did not return a call for comment Friday. But Rendezvous president Frank Potter, who is not connected to the lawsuit, said bikers coming to the rally have been repeatedly harassed by law enforcement in previous years. “It’s getting to the point where they don’t want to leave” the grounds, Potter said. “They don’t want to go out and put up with that.” This year’s Harley Rendezvous is scheduled for June 26-28 at the Indian Lookout Country Club. Named as defendants in the suit are the Schenectady County and Erie County sheriff’s departments, the state police, as well as several officials related to the departments. Acting Schenectady County Sheriff Gordon Pollard said Friday his department is planning standard patrols for the upcoming event. They have nothing special planned and haven’t in recent years, he said. He called the Rendezvous a boon to the area. “It’s a great economic boost to the community,” he said. “They’re well-behaved and have a good time.” Schenectady County Attorney Christopher Gardner said Friday he too was unaware of any policies targeting motorcycles. State police spokeswoman Maureen Tuffey said the state police will not be planning anything that hasn’t been done in recent years. That includes a “road check.” She was unsure late Friday afternoon whether the road check targeted any particular type of vehicle. ...........>>>>...........>>>>...............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar01301
Americade checkpoints yield several helmet violations
By BOB GARDINIER Last updated: 7:07 p.m., Tuesday, June 9, 2009
GLENS FALLS -- Police said checkpoints set up during the Americade rally netted mostly bikers with illegal helmets last week.
Checkpoints were set up at an Interstate 87 rest stop and on Route 9 during the Lake George-based rally, which attracted thousands of bikers.
Police handed out 84 tickets for unapproved helmets, 19 for modified exhausts and 32 other vehicle and traffic violations, Warren County sheriff's deputies said.
State law prohibits the use of smaller helmets that protect only the top of the head and go by names like ''beanies, shorties or skid lids," officials said.
State Police also made four criminal arrests, but did not release further details.
The main checkpoint was on Interstate 87 at the northbound rest area at Exit 18. A second site was set up on Route 9 in Glens Falls after police learned last year that motorcyclists found out about the I-87 checkpoint and used Route 9 to avoid it.
State Police, Warren County deputies and Glens Falls police worked together on the checkpoints.
The police have been targeting bikers ever since Am-jam, Americade, and the Harley Rendezvous was started. I can remember the police setting up a road block at exit 25a to check all the bikers who were heading for the Harley Rendezvous.
Logged
