New Haven Independent

Hogs, Law Dogs Tear Up The Road

by Thomas MacMillan | June 29, 2009 7:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (20)

Half a dozen tattooed young men roared through an East Shore parking lot in a cloud of tire smoke, popping wheelies and endos — as police officers looked on approvingly.

It was a rare sight, brought about by the efforts of a New Haven police officer trying to create a safe situation for local freestyle motorcycle riders who might otherwise be busted for practicing their sport.

The stunt riders were among over 100 motorcyclists who turned out for a charity motorcycle ride and rally at East Shore Park on Sunday. It was the eighth annual Ride to Provide, a fundraiser to benefit cancer patients.

The event was organized by local cop and breast cancer survivor Kelly Turner. Turner was aided by another police officer, Rob Strickland, who organized the “special bike performance” of high-powered wheelies and other daredevil stunts that followed the ride.

Strickland said that he used the strategies of community policing to create an arena for young motorcyclists to demonstrate their skills where they could be appreciated safely.

At 10 a.m. on Sunday, riders were filing in to a back parking lot at East Shore Park, stopping at traffic cones to pay a $20 entry fee. Nearby, Kelly Turner explained that it was eight years since her own battle for cancer, which had inspired the original Ride to Provide. When she was diagnosed with Stage Three breast cancer, Turner’s friends put together a motorcycle benefit to raise money for her medical bills.

Every year since then, Turner has done the same, donating thousands of dollars to benefit cancer patients. The motorcycle rally is just one of several annual fundraising events put on by Turner’s organization, the CHAIN fund.

Turner has had a full recovery from the disease. “I am cancer free,” she said happily.

Bikers lined up for the free breakfast of grits and catfish.

Before starting the ride, the bikers talked shop. Mark “Big Tone” Maloney, of the Presidents Motorcycle Club, explained all the customization that he’d done to his Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12. He pointed out the nitrous booster he’d added to make up for the horsepower he’d lost when he put on the extra wide rear wheel.

Julian Segui, who’s 5, tried out a bike as his father Gabe Segui (second from left in photo) looked on. Gabe Segui was riding with his uncle Eli Mendez (at left in photo) and another family member. The three bikers are members of the newly formed Connecticut chapter of the Latin American Motorcycle Association. It was the chapter’s first official ride.

At least nine different motorcycle clubs took part in Sunday’s ride, including the Law Dogs, comprising current and former Connecticut police officers.

Walter Bailey (at right in photo) was the sole representative of the Riders 4 Righteousness, a group of Christian riders. “I got permission from my Pastor” to miss Sunday services, he said.

Bailey hosted Kelly Turner on his bike for the hour-and-a-half ride, which passed through North Haven, Durham and North Branford. The ride was escorted by New Haven motorcycle cops and Law Dogs, who stopped traffic at all intersections.

Returning to East Shore Park, the riders ate hot dogs, hamburgers and watermelon provided by Yale-New Haven Hospital and voted on the who had the best bike. Big Tone’s dragon paint job faced some stiff competition from a custom Law Dog bike (pictured) belonging to Sgt. Chris Rubino (at left in photo) of the New Haven PD.

But Maloney ended up with the most votes, and walked away with the coveted people’s choice trophy. Maloney’s club, the Presidents, also won the trophy for most represented at the rally, with 11 riders present.

On the other side of the parking lot, freestyle rider Patrick Thomas (at right in photo), of Fair Haven, was shoveling in his last bites of baked beans and getting ready to perform. Thomas missed the event last year because he was still recovering from a wreck that had broken all his ribs, collapsed his lungs, and ruptured his spleen. He had crashed into a van that made a U-turn without warning.

Jared Mulhern (at left in photo), who works at Cycle Gear motorcycle shop in Orange, said that it’s difficult to find a spot to practice freestyle street riding without getting in trouble with the police. Even if it’s done in an abandoned parking lot, police officers will tell bikers to cease and desist. “They consider it reckless driving,” Mulhern said. “As the sport progresses, it’s going to get a lot more accepted.”

Recognizing this conflict between trick bikers and police officers, Officer Rob Strickland had set out to create a safe venue for the riders to practice their sport.

“I used the concept of community policing,” Strickland said. He began by “networking with local riders,” and eventually proposed that they come perform. At first, the young bikers thought he was “crazy,” Strickland said. But everything went smoothly on Sunday.

“They’re all wearing helmets,” said Strickland, pointing at the bikers. “And look how many people are entertained,” he said, pointing at the crowd.

“That’s when you provide an arena for it,” Strickland went on. “It’s in a controlled setting in a very safe environment.”

The successful coming together of freestyle street bikers and police officers was the result of some extra effort reaching out to the bikers, a basic community policing strategy. “That’s from going out and spending time,” Strickland said. “Getting to understand their world.” Strickland first used the concept as a beat cop in the Hill in the 1990s, when he raised money for a trampoline for some Daggett Street kids who were bored and harassing street alcoholics.

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Comments

Posted by: Concerned Citizen | June 29, 2009 8:02 AM

I enjoyed their riding through New Haven along Quinnipiac Avenue. However, what was not appreciated was the motorcycle police officer at the back of the ride group riding AGAINST traffic in an effort to 'keeo things safe'. Cars were swerving to avoid this officer and this truly lacked forethought.

Posted by: Bob | June 29, 2009 8:25 AM

It interesting that the police always turn a blind eye to the illegal muffler modifications on motorcycles and violations of the noise ordinance.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | June 29, 2009 9:06 AM

Bravo everone!

Posted by: had enough | June 29, 2009 11:30 AM

These nice little rallies do not compensate for the menace that loud motorcycles are in this city. If my minivan made half as much noise as these two wheeled death traps, I would be arrested. If I showed as much utter contempt for traffic laws as they do, I would be arrested.

Now I understand why they are not held accountable: The police are abetting them. There is a difference between community policing and selective enforcement of the law. I'm sure the "law dogs" would be the first to complain if I woke their children in the middle of the night!
Pathetic!!!!!

Posted by: Rocco | June 29, 2009 12:14 PM

One of the "Law Dogs" harrased my daughter a couple of years ago at a traffic light in Branford. He would'nt move when the light turned green, and when my daughter beeped, he was outraged and kept pointing to the back of his jacket saying he was the law. I would like to know if these people are police or not.

Posted by: me | June 29, 2009 1:20 PM

LawDORKS...'nuff said

Posted by: laststraw | June 29, 2009 1:29 PM

While it is a nuisance to be woken in the middle of the night by "loud pipes", it is far less of an inconvenience than running into a motorcycle with your car. Motorcycles are smaller and more maneuverable and as a result are hard to find in your blind spot. Generally while driving, either in the city or on the highway, I hear them before I see them, which is awfully nice if I'm thinking of changing a lane.
Loud pipes save lives. (and my insurance premium)

Posted by: William Kurtz | June 29, 2009 2:12 PM

It's a myth that loud pipes save lives; there's little-to-no evidence to support it, except the personal anecdotes of apologists. Smaller and more maneuverable, yes--so obey the traffic law, don't split lanes, ride in the breakdown lane, or pull wheelies down the middle of the interstate. Safe riding habits, and safe driving habits, will do more to save lives than any exhaust system.

Glad to see a safe, controlled venue where motorcyclists can enjoy themselves. Maybe the ATV riders need something similar.

Posted by: Ned | June 29, 2009 3:07 PM

I've been riding for thirty one years. Ducati, Moto Guzzi, BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha. All of them had/have stock pipes. All those years splitting lanes in California, I never needed loud pipes. Also, ever heard of the Doppler effect, all of that stupid noise is BEHIND you...

Posted by: Morris Cover | June 29, 2009 3:53 PM

I have a hot tip for the police, in case they didn't pay attention to the last 100 or so times I've called them in the last few years. Every Friday and Saturday night when Fireside pushes the drunks out, they are racing up and down Woodward and Townsend.

All of this, in an apparent competition to see who can be the loudest at 2 AM. But as long as they are networking with the cops, I guess its OK.

Posted by: had enough | June 29, 2009 3:55 PM

Last Straw:

I can't help noticing that the "loud pipes save lives" crowd tend to object to wearing helmets as well. This alone destroys any shred of credibility their claim to be disturbing the peace for safety's sake might have. Those who wake us in the middle of the night simply because they can get by with it show absolute contempt for their fellow citizens. BTW awakening and frightening small children in the dead of night is more than a nuisance, as any parent will tell you. Motorcyclists who do not respect the rest of us should not expect us to treat them with respect. Grow up and buy a muffler!

Posted by: Jon Doe | June 30, 2009 2:17 AM

These so called freestyle motorcycle riders get there experience on the streets of our city.

Now I know why the NHPD doesn't respond to my calls about these bikes. Because they are part of the problem. What's next? How about we close light house park down one day and let them all bring out there illegal guns and they can shoot one another. without the police arresting them.

Posted by: kenneth | June 30, 2009 7:13 AM

good to hear something +is being done in this town!!!

Posted by: Beaver Hill Resident | June 30, 2009 9:12 AM

Chief Lewis, are you listening? Please crack down on illegal muffler modifications on motorcycles and other violations of the noise ordinance. This is a quality of life issue, especially in the summer when we have our windows open.

Posted by: Morris Cove | June 30, 2009 2:52 PM

Wow for all who missed the pupose of the ride, it was a Cancer benefit to raise money for research, a very worthy cause. Congrats NHPD, for participating and creating such a worth while event. don't let these cry babies over shadow your good deeds.

Posted by: anon | June 30, 2009 4:48 PM

Polluting neighborhoods with loud noise and/or speeding is the equivalent of stealing: it forces people indoors, off their front yards, off their streets, and towards the back of their homes.

In other words, it is stealing people's property. This is far worse than street crime because it is perpetrated on a much larger scale, and results in much greater direct economic, social and health costs.

The police need to crack down on quality of life issues and issue much larger fines and prison sentences to the small minority of people who are stealing from the rest of us.

Posted by: James | June 30, 2009 7:51 PM

Hey, Morris Cove, I'm going to come to your house and piss in your door stoop, but it's to benefit cancer. It's a "Public Urination for Cancer" rally. SO I guess that's OK then, right? Because, you know, its for cancer?

Loud pipers are obnoxious and impose one asshole's good time on everybody else. But NHPD doesn't enforce quality of life issues, especially when they're the ones committing the infractions. So suck it up, stay mad, or move out. I'm still trying to figure out which way I'll go. If I could only make my money back on my house, ooh boy, would I leave this cesspool in the dust. I've lived in more tolerable third world countries. At least there your expectations are low.

Posted by: jmc | June 30, 2009 9:27 PM

Overlooking motorcyclists' illegal muffler modifications, excessive speeds and dangerous maneuvers leaves the cops time for what really matters: ticketing bicyclists for making right turns on red or riding on a sidewalk the ten feet from curb to storefront. Thanks for making their priorities clear.

Posted by: Ned | July 1, 2009 7:44 AM

I guess "loud car sound systems save lives too" which might explain why, as soon as the weather warms up, I have to start using my air conditioner, so that I don't have to listen to deafening loud "music" blasting from peoples' cars. Oh yes, and to the jerk, in the gold, four door Chrysler (@ the intersection of Willow and Orange Sts.), playing that "song" where every other word was f**k, and the refrain "s**k my d**k, what could you possibly be thinking???

Posted by: Morris Cove | July 1, 2009 9:58 AM

James

Your missing the point, it took place during the day (before noon), and it was for a good cause. I'm not condoning the straight pipes, I think there crude and obnoxious.

Hey and if you even had the nads to pull that piss gag on my door, you won't make it to the curb my friend...trust me Jimmy.

Hogs, Law Dogs Tear Up The Road

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