Is it okay for the State Police to harass two Pagan mc motorcyclists on the highway? (Pittsburgh: crime, zoned)

[gg]

Just wondering what people think of this situation. I was driving down the highway and noticed a couple of bikers ahead of me wearing Pagan colors. One had a women with them on the bike. Anyway, two state police were clearly harassing them and pulling up behind them cutting other drivers off and following them within inches. The two police were really causing issues as we headed into a contraction zone that narrows to one lane. The two Pagans got off an exit and the state police stayed on my route, but turned around causing more braking and issues for drivers. Not sure if they gave chase again or not. Wish I would have had this mess on video. Is this sort of behavior okay? What if it was two minorities on motorcycles, is that okay? Is it okay to profile like this? Sure was dangerous to the drivers going 55-60mph all for their chest pounding experience on a very busy highway.

[UKyank]

While not ok to make a situation dangerous for other people on the road I can at least understand the police giving extra scrutiny to pagan motorcyclist as the group is basically nothing more then an organized crime organization.

[Hopes]

Pagan's aren't recreational motorcycle clubs. Every single member is involved in crime. That's a big difference from profiling black people because not all black people are criminals. If there has been a recent increase in pagan activity in the area, the police might be trying to make them uncomfortable enough to take their business elsewhere. The harassment was sending a message they aren't welcome, and the police are going to ride their asses every time the police sees them. They shouldn't have made it dangerous for other drivers though.

[Faerunner]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

Just wondering what people think of this situation. I was driving down the highway and noticed a couple of bikers ahead of me wearing Pagan colors. One had a women with them on the bike. Anyway, two state police were clearly harassing them and pulling up behind them cutting other drivers off and following them within inches. The two police were really causing issues as we headed into a contraction zone that narrows to one lane. The two Pagans got off an exit and the state police stayed on my route, but turned around causing more braking and issues for drivers. Not sure if they gave chase again or not. Wish I would have had this mess on video. Is this sort of behavior okay? What if it was two minorities on motorcycles, is that okay? Is it okay to profile like this? Sure was dangerous to the drivers going 55-60mph all for their chest pounding experience on a very busy highway.

I'm sure you have all the information and aren't just immediately biased.

[ditchdigger]

I'm sure if you'd followed them in your Audi, caught up at a traffic light, and offered your sympathy, they'd have been appreciative. Maybe you could've had a nice conversation about the merits of gumless ice cream...

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

Is this sort of behavior okay? What if it was two minorities on motorcycles, is that okay? Is it okay to profile like this? Sure was dangerous to the drivers going 55-60mph all for their chest pounding experience on a very busy highway.

State troopers really need to be concerned about the safety of the general public in all of their survelliance activities.


But as far as keeping a special eye toward the 1%'er motorcycle gangs, well they aren't a protected minority class in Pennsylvania, so the troopers do have a right to keep an eagle eye on their activities. Further, business owners aren't required to serve Pagans, nor allow them to use their otherwise public facilities.

[UKyank]

Where did you see them & is there some 'event' or something for them around here as I passed a group of about 30 of them in rt 51 around west mifflin this morning definitely wearing pagan emblazoned jackets

[gg]

Originally Posted by Hopes

They shouldn't have made it dangerous for other drivers though.

They DID make it dangerous for drivers. This was going on for several miles with one cop passing them and then pulling off the road letting them go by and then speeding up past myself and others AGAIN like an idiot. There is one thing keeping an eye on the group that is and has been around Pittsburgh for many decades, but you don't need to be unprofessional. I expect MORE from police than being a bunch of bullies in their squad cars and creating a situation for other drivers. I believe at least one of the Pagans is from that area. I recognized his pretty distinct motorcycle with some pretty crazy ape-hangers, not to mention the guy is pretty darn big.

[gg]

Originally Posted by UKyank

Where did you see them & is there some 'event' or something for them around here as I passed a group of about 30 of them in rt 51 around west mifflin this morning definitely wearing pagan emblazoned jackets

There are probably around 30 in our general area, so I suspect they were just out for a ride. I see them now and again and they are around Rt. 51 in that region often. I don't think they are as involved in crime as much as they used to be. How could they with RICO? It isn't like the Pagans are in the news all the time. Heck, I don't remember them in the news around here in years.

My point was, when it is just harassment and not having anything to do with public safety? Do the police have the right to harass a group just because the jackets they are wearing? Seems in NJ, some cop tried to make them take their jackets off. The Pagans said, no and took the police to court and won. Thankfully they did win, because I am not ready to have police dictate my jacket of choice.

Keep in mind, I am not some pro-Pagan or anti-cop, but I don't like bully crap and it can come from both sides of the law. I just couldn't believe how aggressive the cops were being on a highway when people are moving at those speeds. It got all bunched up and many motorists behind me had no clue what was going on ahead of me.

[erieguy]

You should attach a GoPro to your vehicle and bicycle and have proof to handle these situations.