Rutland prepares for visit from motorcycle group with ties to organized crime

RUTLAND, Vt. (WCAX) - Rutland is preparing for a visit from a motorcycle group with ties to organized crime.

City officials say the Outlaws Motorcycle Club is holding its national gathering at the Vermont state fair grounds starting this Thursday.

The group is on multiple federal watchlists with ties to organized crime.

While Rutland’s mayor doesn’t believe any issues will come up during the group’s time in the Marble City, he says it’s better to be prepared.

“Any motorcycle club coming to Rutland to celebrate, to do something at the fair grounds, I think that’s awesome,” Rutland mayor Mike Doenges said. “I think its great that people want to participate. You look at things like Daytona Bike Week or Laconia and those are great economic drivers for those communities. Those communities are prepared for those things though, this is the first time we’ve had something like this in Rutland of this size.”

Doenges says the city is looking at additional law enforcement staffing from July 18 to 20.

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