Mongols’ convergence in Boulder City raises concerns, anticipation

Some people smiled.

Others crossed their arms and frowned.

One woman in the front row chewed her fingernails.

More than 50 people attended a special Boulder City town hall meeting on Tuesday to air their concerns and get more information about the Mongols Motorcycle Club's three-day national meeting rolling into town this weekend.

The second-story City Hall meeting room was crowded with business owners, city officials, police officers, parents and members of the Mongols, who stood in the back wearing black leather vests.

INFORMATIONAL MEETING

"I want to be clear," Boulder City Chief of Police Thomas Finn said. "I want this to be an informational meeting, not a confrontational meeting. This is a meeting of the minds between those who are coming here to enjoy an event and those in the community who have concerns about what they perceive might happen."

The dialogue that followed unfolded exactly that way.

Finn explained how the weekend's additional law enforcement presence - staffing that includes officers from the Metropolitan, Henderson and North Las Vegas police departments and potentially representatives from the FBI's Las Vegas field office - will cost Boulder City taxpayers little because the outside agencies are volunteering their time.

Finn also addressed residents' concerns about potential problems caused by rivals of the Mongols, most notably the Hells Angels.

The two groups have a history of conflict in Southern Nevada. A 2002 brawl at Harrah's casino in Laughlin left two Hells Angels and one Mongol dead. Another fight between the groups occurred at a Las Vegas wedding chapel in 2008.

The Las Vegas chapter of Hells Angels is scheduled to have a meeting in Las Vegas on Saturday, the same day as the Mongols' party at a Boulder City hotel.

Finn said he has assurance from the Mongols that there will be no violence between the two groups. He said he could not share many more details about how a conflict between the groups would be prevented.

"We are fully prepared for the worst-case scenario, but hoping for the best," he said.

Stephen Stubbs, the legal counsel for the Mongols in Nevada, spoke next. The Boulder City resident, dressed in a suit, a bow tie and motorcycle boots, gave a strong endorsement for the Mongols, who will start arriving in town Friday.

"I not only stand up for them and stand by them, I stand with them," Stubbs said. "I'm confident that they are good men."

'WE WILL RESPECT YOUR CITY'

A Mongols' member, who gave his name as Blanco, walked to the front of the meeting, unfolded a piece of paper and read a statement. It ended with a guarantee.

"This is a promise from Mongol nation," Blanco said. "We will respect your city and leave it cleaner than we found it."

When the time for questions came, Susan Higley had a couple.

She wanted to know where the estimated crowd of 400 was supposed to stay. When she heard that the Mongols had rented all of the available rooms at the Boulder Inn and Suites, a downtown hotel, she wanted to know whether the police would be able to enter the party, if necessary.

"I have no problems with bikers," Higley said, turning to address the Mongols present. "I've been around a lot of them, great, wonderful people. But I hope you guys understand our concerns."

As time passed the mood in the room lightened.

Denise Goode asked whether it was OK to look at the motorcycles when they arrive. Beth Walker said she hoped the Mongols come to her ice cream and candy parlor while they are in town. Another voice quoted Rodney King: "Can't we all just get along?"

The meeting ended in applause.

Walker and Goode left happy. Higley said she was not completely reassured.

"I still have concerns because ..." began Higley, stopping when a large man in a black leather vest walked down the stairs of City Hall, toward her. "Hey," Higley said as the man passed. "Welcome."

Contact Ben Frederickson at bfrederickson@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5512.