FAIRFIELD, Calif. — Controversy is brewing in Fairfield after the police chief threatened to quit if his officers are forced to escort a Christmas toy drive involving the Hells Angels.
Meanwhile, the organizers who put on the drive say they don’t understand why they’re being dragged into it.
Every year riders pass through Texas Street for the annual event and any other year they’d be escorted by the Fairfield Police Department, but this year they’re left to fend for themselves.
Police Chief Dan Marshall said at a recent council meeting officers won’t be escorting this year’s run of the Samoa Mission Christmas Toy Run.
"The last two years the Hells Angels have been a part of this run. Our officers aren't comfortable escorting the Hells Angels. We have personal indictments on the Hells Angels in this county. If you turn on the news there [are] all kinds of indictments going on,” he said.
Gene Ahu, who started the Christmas drive serving around 400 kids, says the event is all about children.
"First and foremost this isn't about the Hells Angels. The Hells Angels don't sponsor. The Hells Angels aren't on the flyer. Our toy run is open to the community. Everybody's welcome, whether you're in a Honda, in a car or walking. Just bring a toy and you can come,” said Ahu.
Ahu, who is also a member of the Bad Boys MC, says people have asked him to ask the Hells Angels not to join the event but he refuses.
Marshall says he understands serving his community, but he won’t support any criminal organization.
“This is a hill I'm willing to die on and I'm willing to give up my job before I order the police department to do this escort. That's how serious I am about it,” he said.
Ahu says they shouldn't be involved in issues between police and other organizations.
"Please let us do our toy run. We'll put some blockers out to stop the traffic safely and we'll bring our toy run and make our toy drive happen. So that's our concern is that if we block are the police going to harass us or profile or discriminate? That's all we're asking is let us do our toy run safely and we'll make sure traffic's blocked safely,” said Ahu.
This year’s event is scheduled for 8 a.m. Dec 2.
Fairfield’s mayor says she stands with the chief’s decision and the toy drive can continue — just without an escort.
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