Police chief’s report says various factors ‘undermined safety operations’ at biker rally 

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Law enforcement and security guards were unable to effectively enforce local and state regulations during the 2025 Hollister Independence Rally, according to a report from Hollister Police Chief Carlos Reynoso. 

Reynoso’s report indicated that inadequate law enforcement, security and communications led to a failure to control armed criminal gangs, illegal weapons possession, and the unlawful sale and distribution of alcohol in downtown Hollister during the two-day rally.

In response to the challenges, the report recommends for future motorcycle rallies, that the city secure additional sworn officers and/or a reputable security guard company, obtain a reliable communications system, and provide additional education to business owners on alcohol laws.

Reynoso’s report was not included in the agenda or discussed by the Hollister City Council when staff presented the rally revenue report to the city officials on Sept. 2. BenitoLink obtained the report on Sept. 29 through a public records request made Sept. 3.

“The combination of insufficient law enforcement staffing, inexperienced security, communication breakdowns, and widespread alcohol violations significantly undermined safety operations,” the report states.

According to the report, “a large number of bikers” and outlaw motorcycle gang members were carrying weapons, though the report does not provide specifics. 

“Weapons violations were widespread but largely unenforceable due to inadequate staffing,” according to the report.

The report states that during the rally a large party was held without a permit near the Old Depot train station that included members of the Norteno street gang and La Verdad Motorcycle gang, and notes that the latter gang is affiliated with the Nuestra Familia criminal group.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Nuestra Familia is a prison gang that was formed in the 1960s.

Concerning alcohol, the report states several businesses operated outside the state’s regulations by selling alcohol in unauthorized areas and for offsite consumption, and overserving customers who were intoxicated.

“There is a serious need to have ABC provide education to all the bar owners and managers in regard to the proper operations of a bar or restaurant that serves alcohol,” the report states.

Another issue was “almost all bars” exceeded their capacity inside their building and at their outdoor seating areas, according to the report.

The report indicated that bars allowed standing-room-only patronage and customers did not have the ability to enter and walk around the interior of the bar.

“At one point, the police department had to stop one business from selling alcoholic beverages for one hour until they had room in their parklet to once again start selling alcohol,” the report states.

In his report, Reynoso said law enforcement experienced challenges with its radio frequency, making it difficult for security teams to communicate with each other.

“That frequency has had increasing interference over the last few years, and it proved to be unreliable for the rally,” Reynoso reported. “There were several instances where radio traffic was not heard during the event.”

The report states that officers used a cell phone application but team members missed “several important notifications” because the network was overwhelmed, leading to software not updating for up to an hour. 

The report reiterated previous reports on the city’s failed efforts to get other law enforcement agencies to provide officers to help with the event. The primary reasons, according to the report, are the city no longer covers worker’s compensation for officers from other agencies who are hurt while working the rally and the agencies the city has solicited have been facing staff shortages.

“They do not have staff to spare during a busy holiday weekend when they have [their] own local events,” according to the report. 

Another key issue for Reynoso was the level of service provided by American Global Security. He noted that many guards said this was their first assignment and many did not speak English.

According to the report, “The guards failed in every way in their mission and tasks of securing areas, enforcing the zero tolerance for drinking outside of the designated drinking areas, enforcing the no-weapons ordinance, assisting with traffic control, and stopping people from illegally parking their motorcycles in the roadway.”  

For the 2025 rally, the city also struggled to find a security firm, the report notes. It goes on to state that several reputable security firms were not interested in “working an event with outlaw motorcycle gangs in attendance in such high numbers without adequate police presence.” 

According to the report, the city secured a company for up to 60 guards but later said it would need 156 unarmed guards. Though the request was approved by the city, the company eventually backed out because it could not obtain sufficient guards.

Ultimately, the city contracted with American Global Security for 100 guards for up to $270,000 in June. At the time, the city declined to state how many guards the company would provide. 

The City Council sanctioned the return of the rally, which had not been held since 2017, saying it would provide an economic boost to local businesses and provide opportunities for economic development. While the city said it cost about $200,000 more to hold the rally than it had raised in revenue, the rally actually cost about $450,000 more than it had raised.

BenitoLink reached out to the five City Council members for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

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