Sheriff's Office getting ready for influx of bikes for Harley 110th



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee County Sheriff's Sgt. Charles Stowers is getting the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office motorcycle unit ready to roll in earnest in advance of the Harley-Davidson 110th celebration.

"We'll have enhanced patrols out there mitigating traffic as needed," Sgt. Stowers said.

When the Harley-Davidson 110th anniversary reunion brings more than 100,000 bikes into town, it will be nothing like many have ever seen -- at least not in years!

Two fatal motorcycle crashes this week in Milwaukee County has given the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office reason for concern -- concern that is multiplied by the fact that bikes from all over are set to gather for rides, parades and parties.

21 deputies from Milwaukee County will be on motorcycle patrol during Harley's 110th, but each community will join in the safety and enforcement with their own officers.

Motorists are advised to be patient.

"There will be some confusion. There will be confusion, because you gotta realize people are coming from all over the world. They're renting motorcycles to ride in this event. They don't know their way around. People in the city, they should take extra caution in observing what's going on," Milwaukee Co. Sheriff's Sgt. Charles Stowers said.

Sgt. Stowers says construction on the roads will be another obstacle to face. However, he says he's confident things will run as smoothly as a Harley on the open road.

One thing the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office will focus on is drunk driving during the Harley anniversary celebration. It is a little different picking out a motorcycle rider who may be impaired, but the deputies are trained, and if they find drunk drivers, they're prepared to stop them and flatbed their bikes to the tow lot.