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Post by train on Feb 24, 2010 9:22:20 GMT -6
Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 12:03 AM Subject: Harassment in Myrtle Beach
I found myself in a very embarrassing and frustrating situation today. I have been living in Surfside Beach for over three years now and I like to ride motorcycles. I am also ex law enforcement from Williamsburg county.. This week I have relatives visiting from Florida and Rhode Island, and they are staying in Myrtle Beach at the Dunes Marriott off 82nd avenue north. My wife and I drove our 2006 white Dodge TRUCK (not our motorcycle) there to visit with them today. Unknowingly to us, that was wear law enforcement was having some type of seminar on gang violence. While we were there, my cousin was showing us around the complex and we walked to the indoor pool wear his niece and nephew were swimming. (both are under the age of 12). They were being carefully watched by their father who is a firefighter in the state of Rhode Island. While we were in the pool house talking and watching the children swim, several resort security personnel and a Myrtle Beach K-9 officer approached me and asked me to step out side. At that time is when the harassment began. The resort security personnel were very professional and courteous, but to the point. The Myrtle Beach K-9 officer on the other hand was very rude and unprofessional. He stood there in his tightly perfectly pressed uniform with his chest protruding out staring at me with such intensity, I felt that if I would have sneezed, he would have put a bullet between my eyes before even thinking about his actions !!! He took my identification and backed away never taking his eyes off of me. He got on his radio and ran my ID through the NCIC system. Much to his surprise and very much disappointment (which was very obvious), I came back clear. No warrants, no wanted by the FBI, not anything he could use to validate using force to take me down. I think I ruined his day. I turned out to be just an average Joe. This did not stop him !!! He continued to stare at me with such intensity that it felt like he was begging me to make any kind of move so he could justify taking me down with force. Well, needless to say, I am just an average Joe and I did nothing to provoke him. After all, I was only there visiting relatives from out of state. You can just imagine the HORROR my wife family and their children felt during this situation brought on by an over zelis Myrtle Beach K-9 police officer. I do not think they will ever want to visit this area again, and I doubt they will recommend Myrtle Beach to their friends as a friendly family vacation stop. All of this was brought on because I was wearing black riding boots, black Levi jeans, a white flannel shirt, a hat that said Harley Davidson on the front and a black vest. Please note, With the exception of the color of my jeans and shirt, I always wear my boots, hat, and vest everywhere I go in North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Garden City, and Murrells Inlet etc. I have never been harassed in any of these areas. This was a case of pure and simple profiling of someone whom to them was a biker gang member!!!!! Again, I am ex law enforcement, and I know what harassment and profiling is. People who ride motorcycles are not gang members.!!!! We are doctors, lawyers, nurses, professionals in any type of work force, and we are blue collar workers etc. Why must we be treated this way in Myrtle Beach??? I have not filed any type of complaint in any way. I just want the public to be aware of the fears they face if they venture in to the city limits of Myrtle Beach and they are a motorcycle enthusiast. Everyone PLEASE let your friends and family know that if they visit the city of Myrtle Beach and they do not follow their dress code, they will be harassed and horrified!!! Gary P. Balcom 120 Lake Ct. Surfside Beach, S.C. 29575 843-238-8301
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Post by Chuck52 on Feb 24, 2010 9:58:16 GMT -6
Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 12:03 AM Subject: Harassment in Myrtle Beach I found myself in a very embarrassing and frustrating situation today. I have been living in Surfside Beach for over three years now and I like to ride motorcycles. I am also ex law enforcement from Williamsburg county.. This week I have relatives visiting from Florida and Rhode Island, and they are staying in Myrtle Beach at the Dunes Marriott off 82nd avenue north. My wife and I drove our 2006 white Dodge TRUCK (not our motorcycle) there to visit with them today. Unknowingly to us, that was wear law enforcement was having some type of seminar on gang violence. While we were there, my cousin was showing us around the complex and we walked to the indoor pool wear his niece and nephew were swimming. (both are under the age of 12). They were being carefully watched by their father who is a firefighter in the state of Rhode Island. While we were in the pool house talking and watching the children swim, several resort security personnel and a Myrtle Beach K-9 officer approached me and asked me to step out side. At that time is when the harassment began. The resort security personnel were very professional and courteous, but to the point. The Myrtle Beach K-9 officer on the other hand was very rude and unprofessional. He stood there in his tightly perfectly pressed uniform with his chest protruding out staring at me with such intensity, I felt that if I would have sneezed, he would have put a bullet between my eyes before even thinking about his actions !!! He took my identification and backed away never taking his eyes off of me. He got on his radio and ran my ID through the NCIC system. Much to his surprise and very much disappointment (which was very obvious), I came back clear. No warrants, no wanted by the FBI, not anything he could use to validate using force to take me down. I think I ruined his day. I turned out to be just an average Joe. This did not stop him !!! He continued to stare at me with such intensity that it felt like he was begging me to make any kind of move so he could justify taking me down with force. Well, needless to say, I am just an average Joe and I did nothing to provoke him. After all, I was only there visiting relatives from out of state. You can just imagine the HORROR my wife family and their children felt during this situation brought on by an over zelis Myrtle Beach K-9 police officer. I do not think they will ever want to visit this area again, and I doubt they will recommend Myrtle Beach to their friends as a friendly family vacation stop. All of this was brought on because I was wearing black riding boots, black Levi jeans, a white flannel shirt, a hat that said Harley Davidson on the front and a black vest. Please note, With the exception of the color of my jeans and shirt, I always wear my boots, hat, and vest everywhere I go in North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Garden City, and Murrells Inlet etc. I have never been harassed in any of these areas. This was a case of pure and simple profiling of someone whom to them was a biker gang member!!!!! Again, I am ex law enforcement, and I know what harassment and profiling is. People who ride motorcycles are not gang members.!!!! We are doctors, lawyers, nurses, professionals in any type of work force, and we are blue collar workers etc. Why must we be treated this way in Myrtle Beach??? I have not filed any type of complaint in any way. I just want the public to be aware of the fears they face if they venture in to the city limits of Myrtle Beach and they are a motorcycle enthusiast. Everyone PLEASE let your friends and family know that if they visit the city of Myrtle Beach and they do not follow their dress code, they will be harassed and horrified!!! Gary P. Balcom 120 Lake Ct. Surfside Beach, S.C. 29575 843-238-8301 Train Not for nothing and even though it’ll fall on deaf ears by MB Police chief and others, that over zealous K-9 cop should be reported for his tactic’s. We don’t live in a police state and as an ex law-enforcement you know he had no probable cause to even ask for ID. I’m no lawyer but it’s not right that anyone biker or not to be treated that way, that is profiling anyway you look at it. This is the kind of tactic’s MB will use when the helmet ordinance is thrown out to keep us out and it really needs to get nipped in the bud. This is just my 2 cents Attachments:
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Post by bigbuck on Feb 24, 2010 10:33:19 GMT -6
I would have to agree with Chuck on this. That is nothinhg short of profiling and harrassment. But then if addressed, they would probably cover their butts by saying that he matched the discription of a fugitive wanted for reportedly riding his motorcycle without a helmet ;D
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Post by rangemaster on Feb 24, 2010 18:56:40 GMT -6
Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 12:03 AM Subject: Harassment in Myrtle Beach ... At that time is when the harassment began... The Myrtle Beach K-9 officer on the other hand was very rude and unprofessional... Myrtle Beach PD has 2 K9 officers. One has a reputation for - and I have constantly observed when working/interacting with him - total professionalism. The other K9 officer has a track record and reputation for - and I have personally observed in every interaction with him - behavior meeting the description in the above quote. His actions also including wrecking his K9 vehicle in a crowd of persons - and being investigated after a person who had been detained on the former air force base for suspected DUI by another officer who "did not feel comfortable enough for him to drive home" (EXACT quote from MBPD Chief Warren Gall afterward), the K9 officer (an "acquaintance" of the detained driver) responded to give the driver a "taxi ride" home, the K9 officer drove the person home but just drove him to the front door and dropped him off INSTEAD OF transferring custody to another responsible adult, and the driver was HIT AND KILLED on Bypass 17 when he soon afterward decided to walk back to the scene to retrieve his truck. There was MBPD and media speculation about WHY the deceased’s truck was found abandoned, for a day after he was killed, until those officers involved apparently either came forward or admitted what had happened. One avenue Gary can pursue is the formal City of Myrtle Beach Police Department complaint process. Here is the link, with a clickable link to the Citizen Complaint page and online reporting form: www.cityofmyrtlebeach.com/policeops.html
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Post by General_Malaise on Feb 24, 2010 20:08:15 GMT -6
Assuming that this is the same Mr Balcomb who has been an officer in the Horry ABATE for some time, and even if not.
I joined the loal ABATE because I am concerned about those who ride motorcycles being marginalized and improperly treated by the authorities. I wear a full face helmet all the time by MY choice and resent anyone telling me that I or anyone else has to do so.
At the last meeting, Chris mentioned that he felt that Horry Abate should think about opposing the smoking ban in Surfside Beach. This offensive treatment of Mr Balcomb needs to be addressed as an extremely high priority, long before smoking bans.
I believe that Horry ABATE should support Mr Balcom in every way possible in defending himself (and consequently ourselves) against any instance of profiling or discrimination due to being identified as a biker or whatever and being treated like a criminal based on ones clothing.
If we tolerate this type of harrassment of Mr Balcomb, when will it be your turn?
This DogBoy must think that he is Martin McFadden, and Mr Balcomb is John W. Terry ...NOT HARDLY. ??
DogBoy needs to be educated on how to treat a citizen. Hopefully MBPD will have the courage to educate him based on a complaint by Mr Balcomb
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Post by hdgoddess on Feb 24, 2010 20:32:19 GMT -6
Gary should have this cop's job.
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Post by bikergal on Feb 24, 2010 21:37:07 GMT -6
While I am sure what you are saying happened to you, I have found most of the police in Myrtle Beach to be VERY biker friendly and very fair. Of course there will be the 10% that are jerks, just like 10% of all professions.
I hope you got his name and badge and follow up with a formal complaint. Those 10% always make it rough for the other 90% that are good people.
Just please don't judge the true hard working, good people. Actually, that is OUR complaint, we feel like we are being judged by the 10% of the bikers that are the "bad seeds" while 90% of us are good, honest, hard working people.
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Post by capptinkirk on Feb 25, 2010 16:18:22 GMT -6
Bikergal, Believe me, I do not judge everyone the same. I pride myself on being fair. I understand what you are saying. Our role in ABATE is to educate the public about bikers and not to judge us. I do understand that everyone is different. As I said, the other people involved were very professional. I would also like to thank everyone here for their support.
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Post by hdgoddess on Feb 26, 2010 5:59:20 GMT -6
We shouldn't be judged by what we wear,what we ride or who we assiocate ourselves with. Blatant discrimination is what it is.
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Post by classic53 on Feb 26, 2010 6:12:16 GMT -6
This is a prime example of what to expect during the "Spring Rally". And when the helmet thing is overturned, they, the MBPD, will be directed by the "Rat Pac" to really go after all motorcyclists!
I hope that I am wrong in stating that, but this is something that "they" would do to really persuade motorcyclists from not visiting their "retirement community" in the future.
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Post by train on Feb 26, 2010 6:47:27 GMT -6
I just wonder once helmet ord dropped , if cival suits will start against city for harrassment...
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Post by rangemaster on Feb 26, 2010 7:44:54 GMT -6
... I have found most of the police in Myrtle Beach to be VERY biker friendly and very fair. Of course there will be the 10% that are jerks, just like 10% of all professions ... Those 10% always make it rough for the other 90% that are good people. Just please don't judge the true hard working, good people... I agree. As many of you know, I speak with MANY MBPD officers - and they confide in me. The VAST majority of them - and they tell me the vast majority of their fellow officers - DISagreed with the helmet ordinance, and simply agree with HARLEY Rally participants and supporters as to the city's overzealous actions AND the HOW they addressed their REAL goal of ridding the city of the effects of AB "BikeFest".
THAT is why most MBPD officers did NOT make any "special effort" to pursue or cite helmet violations - and, in fact, "looked the other way" when they could do so. I've elaborated on both of those here and on other forums in the past; with the most important point being that no officer wanted to have the experience of perhaps causing an accident or similar situation while pursuing a helmet violation that was so controversial and obviously INTENTIONALLY created with malice.
And, almost universally, they were quick to claim it was NOT a matter of "enforcing the law whether you agree with it or not" - a common law enforcemet phenomenon and probably claim that would be made about their comments by anti-bikers - but it was instead a matter of the officers being rather firmly convinced that the helmet ordinance would be successfully challenged and that the officers did not want to be a responsible party to it AND any repercussions of it.
That said, it leads to Train's comment of:I just wonder once helmet ord dropped , if cival suits will start against city for harrassment... Possibly - but not for "harassment" as it NOW stands. However, there MAY be civil action based on everything else regarding the city's motivated actions - but the VITAL determiner will likely be the text and tone, as I've also said before, of the OPINION that will be released by the SC Supreme Court. When I referred to that in another discussion, I was referring to just how the City of Myrtle Beach will interpret the opinion. However, how attorneys who support BIKERS interpret it will be just as vital, as it may project just how vulnerable the City of Myrtle Beach has made itself TO civil - and perhaps CRIMINAL - liability.
Overall, it may create a rather dynamic set of situations:
- IF the bikers and supporters DON"T pursue any subsequent civil and/or/criminal actions IF the helmet ordinance is overturned, the City of Myrtle Beach MAY attempt retaliation and/or retribution actions as mentioned in responses above.
- IF the bikers and supporters DO pursue any subsequent civil and/or/criminal actions IF the helmet ordinance is overturned, the City of Myrtle Beach MAY NOT attempt retaliation and/or retribution actions as mentioned in responses above - as it would REINFORCE the very contentions made against them in said legal action.
- OR, IF the bikers and supporters DO pursue any subsequent civil and/or/criminal actions IF the helmet ordinance is overturned, the City of Myrtle Beach MAY attempt retaliation and/or retribution actions as mentioned in responses above - and INDEED REINFORCE the very contentions made against them in said legal action. Which is EXACTLY the very nature of misguided behavior that they have often exhibited in MANY issues recently...
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Post by classic53 on Feb 26, 2010 8:47:09 GMT -6
Range, I have only one thing to say to you:
!!!!!!!!!! RANGEMASTER FOR GOVERNOR !!!!!!!!
You always bring all facts to light and a very, very, very good way as to how to present them. again, I have only one thing to say to you:
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RANGEMASTER FOR GOVERNOR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by General_Malaise on Feb 26, 2010 14:02:45 GMT -6
[quote author=bikergal board=mbrallies thread=600 post=5578 time=1267069027 And, almost universally, they were quick to claim it was NOT a matter of "enforcing the law whether you agree with it or not" - a common law enforcemet phenomenon and probably claim that would be made about their comments by anti-bikers - but it was instead a matter of the officers being rather firmly convinced that the helmet ordinance would be successfully challenged and that the officers did not want to be a responsible party to it AND any repercussions of it. Above highly snipped. I have wondered why, when the court filings were made that the Court did not order that the enforcement be held off until the court ruled on the matter. Well meaning and thoughtful Police are highly conflicted in these situations when they need to feel their feet to be on firm ground. Further it would have been interesting if this issue (the helmets) had been removed from the City bag O'tricks prior to last year's rally
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Post by rangemaster on Feb 27, 2010 12:32:12 GMT -6
Range, I have only one thing to say to you: !!!!!!!!!! RANGEMASTER FOR GOVERNOR !!!!!!!! You always bring all facts to light and a very, very, very good way as to how to present them. again, I have only one thing to say to you: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RANGEMASTER FOR GOVERNOR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, that would be great - the South Carolina version of Arnold Schwarzenegger ...
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