Anti-bikie laws not popular with Facebook readers
WE ASKED you on Facebook whether you supported the State Government crackdown on bikies and the controversial question received a whopping 233 responses.
Most people were passionately against the heavily-contested Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment (VLAD) laws with many arguing they infringed on the rights of motorcyclists.
"I don't support it, too many innocent people are being victimised by these laws," said Adam Greaves.
"Crack down on crime, not a sub culture, bikes and tattoos don't equal criminal."
"I fondly remember every year in the September school holidays a 'bikie' group (did) the annual children's hospital run," said Helen Nester.
"We waved at them and they waved back and carrying lots of toys on their backs."
Ipswich police Inspector Keith McDonald said the laws were designed to target criminals, not social motorcyclists.
"The purpose of the laws is to remove criminal activity from the community, the people being targeted are not law abiding citizens," he said.
"A lot of the people we focus on in Ipswich have come to police attention through illegal activity.
"Those people still have their freedom and their rights but if there is a war among these members they don't care who gets caught in the cross fire.
"If we've stopped a criminal gang from getting just one person involved in illegal activity or drug use that's one family saved from a life of heartache and we make no apologies for that."
Chandler Delveen agreed with the inspector saying that he believed the rights and freedoms of families were at risk due to the activity of criminal bikie gangs.
"I can't understand why law abiding bikers should be so concerned about protecting these criminal gangs that tarnish their reputation, let them answer to the law," he said.
However commenters such as Priscilla Woodforth argued the laws affect many innocent motorcyclists and their families.
"So many families have been affected due to the Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment Act," she said.
"My family in particular, and I have also met other families whose sons, husbands, nephews have also suffered because they are members or associates of Motorcycle Clubs."
To view all of the reader comments regarding the State Government crackdown on bikies head to the Queensland Times Facebook page.