Hollister - Early Friday morning, police officers from a dozen different law enforcement agencies were busy converting the Hollister City Council chambers into a high-tech intelligence headquarters from which they will be able to monitor nearly everything happening on city streets during the unofficial motorcycle rally this weekend.
The official police headquarters for the unofficial rally is an information clearing house. Live camera feeds from downtown streets will be monitored day and night. A chart on the wall lists the 190 motorcycle clubs that thundered into the city for last year's official Hollister Independence Rally. Elsewhere in the room, a map of the city shows typical biker hangouts, haunts and bars, including photographs of entrances and exits. Radios, scanners, and other devices feed information to intelligence officers charged with making sure their counterparts out on patrol are constantly updated with latest news about what is happening where
"We try to stay on the cutting edge of technology in here," Sgt. Mike Rodriguez said. "This is the main nerve. It's basically an information clearing house. The information comes in and goes right back out to the streets."
Maps and other information are vital to law enforcement officers from other counties who volunteered to help out with local public safety efforts, Sgt. Roy Iler said.
"Our local guys know what to expect and where everything is located," he said. "Most of this is for the people who came to assist."
Undercover agents were briefed and able to get their bearings before heading out to the streets Friday morning, Iler said.
One undercover agent, who declined to give his name, rank or agency affiliation, was dressed in jeans and T-shirt. His scraggly appearance and long beard made him indistinguishable from a hundred other bikers in town for the unofficial rally.
"We come for the outlaws," he said before heading out with two other agents, also clad in biker garb, to patrol city streets. "This year we don't know what to expect, but we know who we're looking for."
Iler said that while the unofficial motorcycle invasion presents many unknowns for officers, they are prepared for anything.
Next door to the intelligence headquarters, emergency dispatchers were busy routing an already increasing number of 911 calls, said Sheriff's Sgt. Anthony Barnes. Across the street a dozen mounted officers from Salinas prepared for the busy weekend, feeding horses and going over patrol routes, Iler said. Overhead, law enforcement helicopters could be heard. But officials won't say how many officers will be on patrol this week.
"The idea is to have the appropriate number of officers," San Benito County Sheriff Curtis Hill said Friday. "We can downsize if necessary, but it's better more than not enough. The bottom line is we are responsible for public safety not just of the people who live here, but also the people in for the weekend."
Brett Rowland covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or browland@freelancenews.com.
Brett Rowland Brett Rowland is city editor for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 332 or browland@freelancenews.com
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