LAKEPORT, Calif. – Following a large weekend law enforcement response to the arrival of what police said where members of an outlaw motorcycle gang, Lakeport's acting police chief gave an update on the situation and explained the reasons for closing parts of the downtown and calling in other agencies for backup.

 

Acting Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said he and his agency were aware of the community's concerns about the allied Lake County law enforcement operation and “significant deployment of personnel” in response to the Vagos motorcycle gang meeting at the Clearlake Club in Lakeport on Saturday, May 14.

 

Rasmussen said he wanted to address those concerns as much as possible, and on Monday afternoon he began contacting business owners who were affected so they could address their issues with him directly.

 

According to Rasmussen, on Friday, May 13, Lakeport's Police's gang officer, Norm Taylor, received intelligence information regarding an organized meeting of the Vagos that was scheduled to occur in Lakeport on Saturday, May 14.

 

Rasmussen said Lakeport Police and its allied law enforcement agencies in Lake County have highly trained and dedicated staff who monitor and track organized criminal syndicates and street gangs.

 

“Based on our clear and verified intelligence we immediately began follow up investigation, incident response preparation and notifications to allied agencies in an effort to deal with a very serious and potentially violent and dangerous situation,” Rasmussen said.

 

In an effort to provide the highest level of public safety protection to the community's citizens, Rasmussen said Lakeport Police's management made tactical decisions that they believed were in the best interest of residents, businesses and visitors. He said they appreciated the allied agency chiefs and Sheriff Frank Rivero for their leadership and support in carrying out Lakeport Police's tactical decisions.

 

Rasmussen said that during the ongoing and rapidly evolving events on Saturday, law enforcement received credible reports that members of the Hells Angels, a rival of the Vagos, were in adjacent counties and moving in Lake County's direction.

 

He said that on April 16 Lakeport Police and the Lake County Sheriff's Office had responded to an incident in the city of Lakeport where a known member of the Vagos was involved in a confrontation with Hells Angels members or associates.

 

Rasmussen said a concern that's been raised among community members regarding the police response to the Vagos was the decision to close Lakeport’s Main Street between First and Fourth, and Second and Third streets between N. Forbes and Main streets.

 

“The Lakeport Police Department realizes that our decision to implement the street closure did have an impact on the many businesses as well as residents and visitors who intended to shop or move about in the area,” he said. “We do have sincere concern for the impact to these businesses that are such a vital part of our community.”

 

However, Rasmussen explained that law enforcement has to make quick tactical decisions that they believe are in the best interest of the entire community, adding, “We are not always able to provide prior notification to affected persons or businesses.”

 

“As the chief of police for the city of Lakeport, I believe that our decisions were in the best interest of the community and absolutely necessary for public safety,” he said.

 

Rasmussen said similar meetings of outlaw motorcycle gangs in other communities in the United States have resulted in very violent encounters between rival groups.

 

As an example he cited incidents in the small community of Chino Valley, Ariz., where in August 2010 27 members of the Vagos and Hells Angels were arrested for serious felony crimes including attempted murder and participation in a criminal street gang.

 

The incident that led to the arrests was a shootout where at least 50 rounds were fired, Rasmussen said.

 

He said additional examples of these incidents can be found in other communities throughout the United States.

 

Rasmussen said the Lakeport Police Department and allied agencies mounted a significant response in order to deter any violent encounters, and they will continue to pool resources and conduct proactive law enforcement to keep gangs out of local communities.

 

“In addition, we will conduct internal reviews in an effort to continually improve our response to these situations,” he said.

 

Rasmussen thanked Lakeport Police staff who were involved in the operation, and also offered his sincere thanks to Rivero and the staff of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, acting Clearlake Police Chief Craig Clausen and the staff of the Clearlake Police Department, Lt. Greg Baarts and the staff of the California Highway Patrol-Clearlake area, Superintendent William Salata and the staff of the California State Parks law enforcement division-Clearlake area sector, Lake County District Attorney Don Anderson and Chief Investigator Craig Woodworth and the staff of the Lake County District Attorney’s Office, Lieutenant Loren Freeman and the staff of the California Department of Fish and Game-Lake County area, Fire Chief Ken Wells and the staff of the Lakeport Fire Department, Public Works Director Doug Grider and the staff of the City of Lakeport-Department of Public Works and City Manager Margaret Silveira of the City of Lakeport for her support of law enforcement during this incident.

 

Rasmussen invited anyone with additional questions or concerns to contact him directly at 707-263-9650 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

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