Laconia 'Bike Week' To Continue Despite Threats Following Waco Gang Brawl
LACONIA, N.H. (CBS) -- Threats from rival motorcycle gang members following a shooting in Waco, Texas, on Sunday won't stop Laconia's annual Motorcycle Week this year, officials said.
Nine people were killed and 18 people were hospitalized after a fight broke out in a Texas restaurant. Texas officials are now warning about threats of retaliation on police by some gangs following the brawl.
Laconia Police Capt. Bill Clary told WBZ NewsRadio 1030 that law enforcement officials are prepared for trouble but they don't foresee similar gang violence in Laconia.
"We haven't heard the term 'bike war,' " Clary said. "Obviously we've had some conflicts with some clubs on the East Coast, but we don't classify them as a war -- those are internal struggles."
Thousands of motorcyclists from all over the East Coast travel to the Granite State each year for 'Bike Week.' This year's event is scheduled to take place June 13 to June 21.
Clary said the event typically does not see the types of gangs that are present on the West Coast.
"If everyone can just get along for that 10 days, it makes our job a lot easier," Clary said.
One Laconia bartender told WBZ-TV's Ken MacLeod that Bike
"It's so important that a lot of businesses would close without Bike Week," the bartender said.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports