VANCOUVER — About 80 Hells Angels and associates gathered at the bikers’ East End clubhouse Saturday morning for their annual ride to pay tribute to fallen comrade Dave (Screwy) Swartz.
Specialized police officers, who investigate outlaw motorcycle gangs, were also on hand to take photographs and videos as the riders arrived.
Vancouver police traffic- enforcement officers checked vehicle registrations of several Hells Angels, prompting East End chapter president John Bryce to head out to talk with police.
Some of the bikers muttered insults at officers, who were stationed across from the clubhouse.
Vancouver police Sgt. Jason Robillard said police were out in force “to monitor and ensure that the rules of the road are followed.”
“Public safety remains our top priority,” Robillard said.
Swartz was a full-patch member of the East End chapter when he was gunned down in Surrey on April 6,1988 by a friend after an all-night drinking party. The friend then killed himself with the same gun.
Swartz’s son is now a member of the Vancouver chapter of the notorious biker gang.
The Hells Angels were joined Saturday by “support clubs” from around B.C., including the Langford Savages, the Dirty Bikers, the Jesters, the Teamsters’ Horsemen, the Shadow Club and the Devil’s Army out of Campbell River.
