Security costs for the Hollister Motorcycle Rally have increased by 58 percent since 2004, according to records of the event's costs requested by the Free Lance.
Miller's department released the numbers and the chief responded today by attributing the escalating figures over the event's 11-year run to increased spending on state policing agencies and economic factors such as higher personnel costs.
The records, however, are incomplete from 1999 through 2003 due to a software changeover, noted Miller regarding the five years before he had arrived as chief. In 2003, for instance, Free Lance archives document a total security cost of $230,000. The available police records, meanwhile, show a $35,800 cost - a number police officials acknowledge is deflated due to the records issue.
And although these numbers are incomplete for some years, the 2005 numbers point to a time "that changed the rally forever," Miller said. The security costs from 2004 were $224,831 and increased to $340,954 in 2005. The reason for this, the chief said, was heightened gang enforcement related to potential fighting between Mongols and Hells Angels.
"Had it not have been for the state agencies - between the Hells Angels and the Mongols, we would have had great violence," Miller said.
The report outlines "personnel" and "equipment/supplies" costs. The supply costs are for items such as hotel accommodations, meals and snacks, security cameras, camera lines, snacks for officers and radios, while much of the hike in those numbers has been increased hotel costs, Miller said.
Another reason for the increased costs has been state budget problems. In 2003, the state policing agencies - the Department of Justice and the California Highway Patrol - indicated that they needed to be reimbursed. Miller also pointed out that the state isn't getting full reimbursement for its service and how many officers and security personnel are staying in Hollister beyond their scheduled hours.
Asked whether the focus when planning event security is more on security strategy or cost, Miller said it's on maximizing resources.
"We try and spend as little as we can on this type of thing," Miller said. "We don't want to spend more money than we need to."
With those resources, Miller contended that the 2008 rally was one of the most peaceful events within the core rally area.
The Free Lance also requested the number of people employed for security at each biker rally, but the city noted how releasing that information could "disrupt future rallies and endanger the safety of the community and the law enforcement officers," according to a written response from City Attorney Stephanis Atigh on the matter.
By not releasing the personnel numbers, Miller said, "the gang members don't know where we're deployed." He added that if gangs know how many officers there would be, they could plan their activities accordingly.
One of the more common complaints about rally security in recent years has been not only the apparent number, but also that they travel in packs.
Miller said one or two officers can easily be overwhelmed in an altercation or an emergency.
"Six to eight officers are special groups, usually including Department of Justice officers, gang personnel, parole officers who are geared for outlashes," said Miller.
Here's a breakdown of costs since 1997:
1997: $229,005
1998: $77,307
1999-2003: records incomplete
2004: $224,830
2005: $340,954
2006 (non-sanctioned year): $91,794
2007: $321,347
2008: $355,066
Look for an expanded story in Tuesday's Free Lance.
Colin McConville Colin McConville is a reporter with the Hollister Free Lance. You can reach him by email or at (831) 637-5566.
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