tesa.culli@register-news.com
MT. VERNON — A crowd of motorcycle riders representing motorcycle clubs and activists descended on the city council Monday to express their frustration about what they perceive as targeted ticketing for loud muffler pipes.
“The City of Mt. Vernon is fast getting a reputation as being biker unfriendly,” ABATE Chapter 27 President Mick Eddington said. “Loud pipes save lives, it’s a fact. Someone may not see us, but they hear us.”
(ED. NOTE: Lord someone please somebody show me the research that this is a fact and not urban legend started by bikers. I myself like loud pipes. I just like them. I'm not risking my life that someone in an air conditioned car with the stereo blasting while they are on the cell phone with kids yellin the back seat is gonna hear them)
Eddington and others claimed that in the last few weeks they have received more than 50 tickets for loud mufflers.
( Ed. Note: Yepper 50 tickets in a few weeks sounds a bit excessive)
The groups cited their charity work in the city and other events they sponsor and support, when saying they would “leave town and take the charity events elsewhere.”
“If we feel threatened, and get ticketed every time we come through, we’ll take our money and our charities and go elsewhere,” Eddington said. “We’d hate to see that. But we’re perceiving that we’re being harassed. If it keeps up, we’ll leave, it’s as simple as that.”
(Ed. Note: Damn dude, threaten them with what they want that will get em.)
Ronda Tupper, who organizes the annual toy run for the United Methodist Children’s Home said money raised for charitable events, such as the toy run, is spent in the community to purchase items. Also mentioned is the annual Run For The Wall, which has stopped in Mt. Vernon as the only stop in Illinois for more than 20 years, and the revenue from gas which is purchased for between 300 and 500 participants.
(Ed. Note: O.K. I'm confused, was this meeting about charities or loud pipes)One biker was ticketed on his way into the parking lot at Veterans Park on his way to the meeting, and Mt. Vernon Police Chief Chris Mendenall said he was behind the squad car that pulled him over.
“I didn’t notice excessive noise,” Mendenall admitted. “But if you have after market pipes they qualify to be ticketed.”
(ED. Note: Cop stupidly admits the law should be thrown out)Mendenall said the citations are being given under the state statute — not a city ordinance — which was adopted by the state in 1970.
“We haven’t aggressively enforced it until recently because we have now been receiving more complaints,” Mendenall said, and read the statute, which states that any pipes that have been modified in a matter to amplify the sound from that originally installed on the motorcycle can be cited.
(Ed. Note: See cops statement above)Mendenall said he has instructed officers to step up enforcement of those who have loud pipes and are being loud in residential areas.
“The intent is not to harass motorcycle groups,” Mendenall said. “I have a license, I enjoy riding. My brother has two Harley’s and there are several officers that have bikes. ... We appreciate the charitable work you do in the community and have even helped escort you through town.”
Mendenall said when directing officers to enforce the statute, there is an element of “judgment” on the part of the officer and when giving directions of enforcement, the officers can interpret and become too aggressive in enforcement.
(ED. NOTE: Most sensible statement yet)ABATE attorney George Tinkham, a former attorney with the Attorney General Office and the Illinois Department of Transportation, said the state code only specifies citations for pipes that are “louder than stock.”
“What is stock?” Tinkham asked. “The officer would have to know what was original on each and every bike.”
Tinkham also said taking all the cases to court is “one of the worst ways to practice government. Judges are not in a position to make policy, you are.”
(ED NOTE: he gets it)
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley directed City Manager Ron Neibert to set up a meeting with representatives of the various motorcycle groups, the police department and city leaders to get an “overview of the situation” and determine any action that would need to be taken about the situation.
Note to ABATE CHAPTER 27. Next time, shut up and let attorney do the talkingAdd to Technorati Favorites
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