In the United States and throughout the world outlaw motorcycle gangs are an ongoing issue. Tracing their roots back to the years prior to and especially following World War II outlaw motorcycle gangs have been causing problems for law enforcement. Motorcycle gangs originally formed around the basis of camaraderie and a sense of purpose for many combat veterans (Abandinsky, 2013). Over time these bikers separated themselves from the norm which is where they get their outlaw name from and soon became associated with many different types of crime (Abandinsky, 2013). To establish the significance of these outlaw motorcycle gangs and their connection to organized crime an explanation of the history of outlaw gangs, structure, major groups, crime association with law enforcement, and the impact on society and politics will be illustrated.
First, originating in the mid-1930s in Chicago and increasing greatly after World War II also considered the golden era of outlaw motorcycle gangs these men were among the first to establish a group of outlaw bikers (Piano, 2017b). The first wave of these outlaw motorcycle clubs were former veterans who were attracted to a saloon type or old fashioned lifestyle (Piano, 2017a). Along with this, the impact from the military was strong because it established ties to brotherhood and sticking together, so in return when these men would come back they were in search of that camaraderie they were so used to in the military (Piano, 2017a). To make matters worse, majority of the time these men who came back from overseas and serving our country did not have the skills necessary in order to make it into the normal society so as a result they turned towards the only thing they knew how to do which was this subculture type of lifestyle (Piano, 2017a). As a result, many veterans usually suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and other family issues sought out to separate themselves from the American Motorcycle Association (Piano, 2017b). It was then after between the years of 1947 and the 1960s that these outlaw motorcycle gangs began to turn towards more illegal activity. Also with the rise of narcotic usage in the 1960s and the need for change in the 1970s increased levels of gang activity and drug involvement was the result (Piano, 2017a). In the years following many chapters had established themselves, however by the 1980s to 1990’s the term referred to by law enforcement as the “Big Four” has separated themselves from the rest (Piano, 2017b).
Second, the structure of these outlaw motorcycle gangs includes heavy commitment, and a constitution or otherwise a strict code to follow (Abandinsky, 2013). These groups usually will exhibit a bureaucratic structure in which the main group or mother club makes important decisions for the entire group. Following the mother club, a regional representative follows and then there are individual chapters (Abandinsky, 2013). This is where the majority of the break down begins because each chapter is further broken down into presidents, enforcers, captains, sergeants, secretary-treasurer, and then regular members. Even below the members are potential prospects or in other words individuals trying to get in (Abandinsky, 2013). Every member of the chapter serves a specific purpose, for example, the President is in charge of the overall chapter, treasures handle finical obligations, sergeants and enforcers are usually the toughest and handle any necessary business, captains handle day to day operations on biker outings, and members simply follow and do as they are told (Abandinsky, 2013). Each one of these chapters is usually limited to around twenty-five members and getting into these clubs usually will involve very strict guidelines, background checks, age requirements, and unanimous vote before being accepted (Abandinsky, 2013). Once accepted each chapter has mandatory meetings that members must attend in order to stay in the club (Abandinsky, 2013).
Next, the most notorious groups or as mentioned above are referred to as the “Big Four” they include the Hells Angels, Pagans, Bandidos, and Outlaws (Barker & Human, 2009). These groups are among the largest motorcycle groups in the world and all have ties to weapons and drug trafficking as well as many other violent crimes committed against other rival gangs (Barker & Human, 2009). It is difficult to determine exactly how many members are active in each group, however, by the 1980s these four groups accounted for more than three thousand members and over one-hundred chapters across the United States (Piano, 2017b). Although this may seem large, today’s standards well surpass this, it is estimated that some twenty thousand members of outlaw gangs live in the United States (Piano, 2017b). The characteristics of these motorcycle gangs usually exhibit similar traits. Men of white race who ride American made motorcycles and always wear patches to represent their club or gang is the most common (Barker & Human, 2009). In addition, these outlaw motorcycle members all have something in common they will do any means necessary for their group including illegal activity. Meaning even though these groups did not distinguish themselves until the 1980s sub-groups have been causing problems for law enforcement since the 1960s (Barker & Human, 2009). Of the four major groups the Hells Angels, Bandidos, as well as the Outlaws are all American groups but have ties internationally (Barker & Human, 2009). For example, in 1961 the Hells Angels were the first to establish their first international chapter in Australia (Piano, 2017b). It was after this that more global expansion began to arise and now the Outlaws and the Hells Angels have chapters in dozens of countries globally (Piano, 2017b). The Pagans, however, have been deemed a more secret group but because of their violent nature as well as their association with the Italian Mafia and Aryan Brotherhood have granted them a spot among these other large gangs (Barker & Human, 2009). Studies indicate that the most common crimes committed by these four groups include drug trafficking, fighting, murder, racketeering, and illegal weapons charges (Barker & Human, 2009). Not only do these crimes occur here in the United States but all over the world especially in Canada and Australia by members of the corresponding groups (Barker & Human, 2009).
Furthermore, it is inevitable with the reputation these groups have to not have a history with law enforcement. In fact, the majority of these groups have a selection process which includes committing a crime before being accepted hence the ongoing cycle of crime continuing. Today in the United States American outlaw gangs are considered one of the highest threats to public order (Piano, 2017b). In addition, these outlaw gangs are not large in numbers in comparison to street and prison gangs but their impact is astronomical (Piano, 2017a). Outlaw motorcycle gangs even though much smaller in number are responsible for more violent behavior than prison gangs (Piano, 2017a). In regards to law enforcement, it is difficult to get information. For many reasons outlaw gangs and police do not share information. In return, many times law enforcement will over exaggerate the amount of criminal activity these motorcycle gangs are involved in, in order to gain more attention and get more of a budget from public officials (Piano, 2017a). Therefore, the majority of the time police intelligence is sometimes gained through paid informants that give details on the inside of the gangs (Barker, 2011). It is also highly unlikely that any main members of the outlaw gangs have not been convicted of a felony and or spent some time in prison. It is almost a defining characteristic of who they are (Barker, 2011). In recent years from 2000 to present many members of the Hells Angels, Bandidos, Pagans, and Outlaws have been convicted for racketeering, fraud, kidnapping, murder, robbery and the list continues (Barker, 2011). Throughout the year’s law enforcement has been doing their best to stay alert and keep up with these gangs. Federal law enforcement as well as local law enforcement have put many members behind bars and convicted large numbers at a time (Barker, 2011).
Lastly, with the nature of the outlaw gangs, it is no wonder why they strike fear and intimidation in the countries in which they thrive. For example, in Canada shootings from the Hells Angels around the Vancouver area have the people afraid and hoping for the government to step in and take control of the situation (Katz, 2011). It is not only the violent killings and murders but also the drug dealing and gang wars that have people terrified that these groups are destroying the safety of their environment. In congruence even here in the United States and Australia where the majority of these biker gangs have chapters the intimidation and fear is high especially in areas where these biker gangs commit criminal crimes (Katz, 2011). The interactions between outlaw motorcycle gangs, the general public, politics, and the media can be described as triangular in nature (Katz, 2011). Essentially, when these outlaw gangs commit any crime the first people to cover the situation is the media. This is most commonly news reporters and other writers (Katz, 2011). After the media covers the crime committed the public views, reads, and hears about what has happened. From here it is most common for the media to act in a negative manner and rightfully so. After this repetitive cycle continues it is usually very common for politicians and the government to get involved and the cycle continues (Katz, 2011). In order to try and combat this there have been global attempts to try and establish anti-biker laws to somehow get this gangs under control but because they are so diverse it can be difficult (Katz, 2011).
In conclusion, outlaw motorcycle gangs have been a major issue here in the United States and throughout the world. Their strong brotherhoods and connections to organized crime make them a very powerful entity but it is law enforcement’s job to hopefully find new ways to make changes for the future.