Too Many--and Just Right

The throbbing motorcycles.

The manly swaggering.

The intimidating show of force.

No wonder the Hells Angels behaved themselves when they swarmed into Ventura last week.

Faced with a predicted invasion by 1,000 Angels riding hopped-up Harleys and a reputation for hell-raising, Ventura police responded with a high-profile presence that some saw as overkill.

You’ll hear no complaints from us.

The Angels, Ventura officials were told in advance, were out on a mission to “party”--a faintly ominous verb, given their history. Who could have predicted that the Angels would spend their three-day Ventura visit shopping for doilies in the antiques shops of Main Street and posing for a family portrait on the steps of City Hall?

The Ventura police, with support from every other agency in the county, chose to be highly visible. They saturated the downtown area on motorcycles and bicycles, in black-and-white cruisers and unmarked cars, on foot patrols and dog patrols. Although less heavy-handed than the Simi Valley police were in last year’s controversial charity ride, they wrote dozens of citations, mainly for motor vehicle violations.

Said Ventura Mayor Jim Friedman, “As mayor I have chosen to place 110% support in the ability of the police to deal with this most unique and unusual security situation.”

And while most of the 400 or so Angels who actually showed up minded their manners, there were a few reminders that this was no gathering of choirboys. A prospective Angel was questioned about an alleged sexual assault. Two others were arrested for carrying concealed weapons, others on outstanding warrants, according to police.

If nothing worse happened--no doubt to the disappointment of the TV crews that clogged Ventura Avenue near the Angels’ clubhouse--part of the credit belongs to the influence and public relations savvy of local Angels President George Christie Jr.

But the residents of Ventura have their police to thank for the peace--and peace of mind--that reigned during this potentially wild week.

Too many cops?

We wouldn’t have it any other way.