RUNNING AMUCK??? HAHAHAAAAAAA!! I LOVE YOU BIKER PEOPLE~

Bikers Run Amuck

The following correspondence was forwarded to The Citizen. No follow-up interviews were conducted as that seemed a moot endeavor.  One Hampton official, in a tone of concern said the AMS property “looked like a tent city.”  He also said initial projections called for about 12,000 attendees but the projection was later increased to possibly 40,000.  Several readers contacted The Citizen with similar concerns. I sent this to the sheriff and the Henry newsletter this morning. Dear Sheriff McBrayer, I am a concerned taxpayer and resident of Henry County and I think it was RIDICULOUS the way our officers were required to handle the bikers in our county over this past weekend! These idiots were allowed to drive recklessly through our streets, highway and the AMS. They scared countless drivers with their shenanigans.  They endangered our citizens. And yet, our officers were instructed to back off!  At what cost or should I say “at what PROFIT?  I feel very strongly about this and so does many other citizens of Henry County . This administration should not allow “Biker Gangs” to assemble, in any fashion or nature, anywhere near the innocent citizens of this great county – for any amount of revenue!  We finally have a dress code in our schools that doesn’t permit our children to dress like thugs – yet we allow these thugs to take over our streets…  What is wrong with you people?  Why have you let a little revenue convince you that it’s okay to be an enabler of the negative lifestyles of these Biker Gangsters?  What message did that send to our children – especially those children who are already on a pitiful path to destruction? Thank you for your time.  Although I do not send any cash to get my point across – I am a registered voter. Sincerely, Cindy No response from Sheriff McBrayer was included. However an employee of the Sheriff’s Department told The Citizen that off duty deputies can earn $25 – $30 per hour by working security details at AMS. I too am a voter and agree that our tax money was not spent wisely. I also agree with the Biker Representation for our already young youth up against Gang activity in our county. What message are we sending to our youth? Once again, what are we sending a message to our youth that already are peer pressured? Jeannette Concerned Citizen, Mother,Grandmother,Great Grandmother of children in Henry County The following was sent in response to Jeannette, with copies to Chief Russ Abernathy and Major Stoney Mathis This event was a private event scheduled at Atlanta Motor Speedway; it was not sanctioned by Henry County Government.  The Sheriff’s Department had off duty officers, paid for by the event promoters providing security at AMS during the week they were here- our County PD did not participate in the security detail at AMS. I can assure you that the instructions of Henry County Police Chief Russell Abernathy to his officers were to be aggressive in their policing efforts during this event. I was informed of their plan prior to the beginning of Bike Week. Henry County PD was also instructed to assist the City of McDonough , Hampton and Locust Grove Police if needed, and to also assist the Sheriff’s office if they required assistance at AMS. I can also assure you that our Henry County PD will never overlook crime of any type. We are one of the safest counties in the Metro Atlanta area and plan to keep it that way. In checking on the totals for the weekend I was told there were very few incidents, but huge numbers of accidents as a result of the bikers. A large number of traffic citations were issued. I cannot speak to the numbers involving the Sheriff’s Officers or the City Police Departments. I was told today that Atlanta Motor Speedway will not host this event again. I hope this information  answers some of your concerns. Sincerely, Elizabeth "B.J." Mathis Chairman Henry County Board of Commissioners And finally, these messages to Chairman Mathis Chairman Mathis, Thank you for your quick response.  I must have been misunderstood in my original email. I was informed that it was the Sheriff’s office who gave the order to basically let these hooligans run amuck at the AMS.  Not the police department.  Please accept my apologies for that. What we had at the AMS was basically a gathering of real and wanna-be biker gangs.  Wearing their colors (patches on the backs of letter vest identifying with whom they are  associated with) which is very persuasive and intimidating amongst that lifestyle.  These were rivals – the same types of gangsters (less the affiliations) we have an entire staff appointed to combat in our county – on crotch-rockets that could easily have gotten out of hand. I am relieved to hear this will not happen again. Thank you, Cindy Thank You for your prompt reply on this issue. I appreciate what you do and all that you have done. I was amazed at the number of bikers here, yet, at the same time, expected it. Just due to the event itself. When you have that many Gangs (no other way to put it) in one place you can prepare for trouble in more ways than one. The difference in this was they went public with it. I watched your promotion of AMS on the Good Day Southside show and I really don’t believe that this is what your show meant to portray.   Maybe the AMS should check further into events before they are scheduled here within our county. Respectfully and Thank You again for your reply and Keeping our county Safe for All of us in Henry County Jan