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THE REPORTER
Posted on Tue, Apr 22, 2008
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Bikers’ child abuse awareness day to be held
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By DAN SOKIL, Staff Writer
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The Montgomery County chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse is always looking for ways to increase awareness of child abuse issues in the community.
BACA’s second annual Community Awareness Day, which is Friday evening, should help spread the word even further. It’s also Child Abuse Awareness Month.
“We do things like show up at court hearings as support for families, we do a lot of charity runs, donate money to Camp Joy every year, we just do lots of things to try and help out the community,” said BACA member Dave Weakley.
The evening’s events will be free to the community, and will include skateboarding and karate demonstrations, a motorcycle and bike show, appearances by the Cannoneers Club and a police DARE vehicle.
Parents will also be able to make Child IDs for their kids, and the Philadelphia Eagles have donated four passes to this year’s Eagles Youth Football Camp to be raffled off.
The first Community Awareness Day was held last year at North Penn High School, Weakley said, but the increased number of sponsors led organizers to try to find a new location.
Enter the Indian Valley Boys & Girls Club.
“Their goal is to raise community awareness, and help teach people how to keep children safe, but also to celebrate children and youth, too,” said Jake Dawson, the IVBGC’s executive director.
The Boys & Girls Club serves as a safe environment for children to play, learn, socialize and do homework.
“We have almost 200 kids doing homework here five days a week, so we tend to go through a lot of equipment,” Dawson said.
Therefore, although admission to the Awareness Day is free, BACA asks that guests bring school or art supplies, such as book bags, book covers, pens, pencils, and paper to donate to the Boys & Girls Club.
“I was a member of a Boys Club back when I was a kid, but this place has so much stuff going on for kids, and all kinds of after school programs, it’s just amazing,” Weakley said.
Other Awareness Day sponsors include Mike Cappi’s American Karate, the Lansdale Fraternal Order of Eagles and Vertis Communications of Colmar.
“There are going to be so many things going on, and we’ll pack it into just a few hours. Last year we did a lot better than we thought we would, but this year will be crazy,” Weakley said.
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Pottstown Mercury – August 14, 2007
Hockey coach’s court appearance draws bikers group
NEW HANOVER — A hockey coach arrested in July on sexual assault charges is headed to trial in Montgomery County Court after waiving a preliminary hearing Monday.
Gary Byer, 66, of Berger Lane, Lower Frederick, went before District Judge Dorothy Skerchock Monday afternoon on charges stemming from incidents that occurred over the past three years, according to court documents.
Byer coached several youth ice hockey teams throughout Montgomery and Bucks counties during that time, authorities said, and investigators are looking into whether Byer may have assaulted other children.
During Byer’s court appearance on Monday, about a dozen members of Bikers Against Child Abuse gathered outside the courtroom.
“We’re here to support the victims and their families,” said Keith Dungan, president of the group known as BACA.
Dungan said he and other members of the national BACA program follow stories of crime in the news and come out to support the families who have been affected by it. In addition, the organization also aims to send a message to accused criminals.
Montgomery County First Assistant District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman applauded the service of BACA members.
“I think sometimes crime victims feel alone,” regardless of how much support they have from friends and family, Ferman said. “For them to come to court and see this incredibly powerful, strong network of supporters is very reassuring.
“They’re very committed to protecting children, and I think they do a great service to the community,” she added. Ferman said the support from BACA is reassuring to the prosecution.
“As the prosecutor in the room, it’s very nice” to have BACA’s support. “It sends the message that none of us will tolerate this kind abuse,” Ferman said.
Members of the group sat with the victim’s family in the court room, holding hands and consoling them as Skerchock listed additional counts of rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, solicitation for involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, corruption of minors, unlawful contact/communication with the child and other charges that Byer will face in county court.
Skerchock denied a request from Byer’s attorney to have his $500,000 cash bail lowered to a 10 percent bond.
Assistant District Attorney Samantha Cauffman claimed Byer may try to flee if he is able to post bail.
“Numerous times he has given the indication that if he gets out he’ll move far, far away,” Cauffman said, citing recorded phone conversations Byer allegedly had while incarcerated. Cauffman noted that Byer is not a citizen of the United States but of Canada, and given the long sentence Byer faces if convicted, his flight is a strong possibility, she said.
Byer’s formal arraignment date is Oct. 17.
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No bail reduction in alleged molestingAuthorities feared Gary Byer could flee to his native Canada.
By Patrick Lester | Of The Morning Call August 14, 2007
An imprisoned Montgomery County man accused of molesting a 10-year-boy had his request for a bail reduction denied Monday after prosecutors said he was a risk to move ''far, far away'' if released from prison.
Gary L. Byer, a 66-year-old former area hockey coach, was returned to Montgomery County prison under $500,000 bail after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing at District Court in Gilbertsville and facing members of a motorcycle group that showed up in court to support the victim.
''This is a very, very serious case,'' Samantha Cauffman, the assistant district attorney prosecuting the case, told District Judge Dorothy Sherchock in arguing against lowering Byer's bail. ''It involves a lot of heartache for a young boy.''Cauffman said that during the course of the investigation, Byer had told others that he would move ''far, far away'' if he was able to post bail and get out of prison.
Cauffman said Byer is not a United States citizen -- he is Canadian -- and that ''there is a likelihood of a conviction that includes a lot of time [in prison].''
Byer, who lives at 8 Berger Road, Lower Frederick Township, said nothing during his brief court appearance. His attorney, Luke McLaughlin of Norristown, declined to comment. McLaughlin asked Sherchock for ''more reasonable bail,'' saying Byer owns property locally and has been employed by the same company for many years.
Byer, in handcuffs and leg shackles, put his head down as he was taken out of court by county detectives in front of a group of about a dozen members of Bikers Against Child Abuse of Montgomery County, which frequently attends court hearings involving suspected sex offenders.
''We want to make sure that [the victim] knows that what happened was not their fault,'' said Keith Dungan, president of the national group and of the Montgomery County chapter. ''Someone did something to them and they can go on in life.''
Byer was charged July 2 with multiple offenses, including criminal rape attempt, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and aggravated indecent assault.
Cauffman filed additional charges Monday, including rape of a child, indecent assault and unlawful contact with a child.
Authorities have accused Byer of ''ongoing'' sexual contact with the boy. Cauffman said the alleged incidents occurred during a two-year period. Investigators said after Byer's arrest that he was involved in youth ice hockey leagues in the Montgomery and Bucks County areas.
Byer is scheduled to be arraigned in Montgomery County court on October 17.
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BACA MontCo Hosts
Community Day at High School
Story by Norm Keller
E. Penn Biker Magazine
June 2007 edition
You may be aware that B.A.C.A. (Bikers Against Child Abuse) does a lot of work for kids, but it’s sometimes amazing to me at the amount of work they actually do. Beginning in February Barbara “Stitch” Finnegan from Montgomery County Chapter began to put together an event at the North Penn High School in Lansdale, Pa that would draw community services together that work with kids.
In just a few months they had support from many local services and businesses. What they did was have a community awareness day where people come and talk to many of these organizations all at one time. There would be activities to entertain the kids, prize drawings and some refreshments and a martial arts demonstration. To add to the interest, the kids would see all of these great looking motorcycles parked on the sidewalk outside of the cafeteria.
Kudos go out to the BACA Montco and Bucks County for putting together such a great community event. This type of community involvement helps to show the community that we are more then just leather wearing, loud pipes and tattoos.
I would also like to mention that Commerce Bank has committed to contribute a percentage of registered accounts to BACA. To find out more about this and about BACA Montco visit their website by going to www.bacamontco.com or by sending an email to bacamontco@hotmail.com and don’t forget that when you talk to them tell them that you read about the Community Awareness Day in the pages of E. Penn Biker Magazine.
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Senator Rob Wonderling
News Release
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4/11/2006
CONTACT:
Liz Ferry
Phone: 215-368-1500
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PA Senator Wonderling Presents Grant to Bikers Against Child Abuse
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April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
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Pennsylvania Senator Rob Wonderling (R-24) will present a $5,000 grant to the Montgomery County Chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at 12:00 p.m. at his Montgomery County office located at 427 West Main Street in Lansdale. The funding will be used to help provide educational and promotional materials for Bikers Against Child Abuse.
“I’m pleased to be able to assist this important organization. Child abuse is a terrible tragedy. Every day, it takes the lives of three children in the United States. Bikers Against Child Abuse is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of children suffering from abuse and neglect. We must do all we can to protect this nation’s most valuable resource – our kids,” said Senator Wonderling.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, 44 children died of child abuse and more than 23,600 cases of child abuse were reported in 2004, the most recent annual data available. Child abuse kills more children than any other single leading cause of death, including choking on food, suffocation, drowning, residential fires, motor vehicle accidents, and falls.
Bikers Against Child Abuse is a registered non-profit Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Group founded in 1987 and incorporated in 1988 with chapters in 11 states and Canada. The mission of the organization is to assist physically and emotionally abused children, and work to prevent all types of child abuse before it starts.
To report child abuse, the ChildLine and Abuse Registry Intake Unit (800-932-0313) is available 24 hours to receive reports of suspected child abuse. Professionals who come into contact with children are required to report when they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child coming before them in their professional capacity is an abused child. In addition, any person may report suspected abuse, even if the individual wishes to remain anonymous.
Since January 2003, Senator Wonderling has served as a member of the Pennsylvania Children’s Trust Fund Board, which was established in 1988 for the purpose of creating a funding source for community-based children’s programs and services for child abuse and neglect prevention.
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From: "James D. Hay, Jr."
To: bacamontco@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 13 Feb 2006 19:39:59 -0500
Hi, Orangeman!
I am writing this short note to my brothers and sisters in our great Chapter to tell everyone that my wife Pattie and I had an absolutely wonderful time at the THIRD ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET. Thank you SO much for inviting us! Despite my asthma giving me a hard time, it was great to be surrounded by so many dynamically involved bikers and to see them so deservedly recognized for the fantastic work and dedication for and to the cause of eliminating abuse to children. I can honestly tell you that my heart swelled with pride as each name was called and every award was presented. When I started riding my first motorcycle 40 years ago no one could have convinced me that I would have the privilege and honor to be associated with the likes of the marvelous membership of BACA MontCo!!
I was so wrapped-up in your quick-paced and comprehensive agenda Orangeman, that I only realized on the way home to West Chester that it would have been appropriate for me, as a representative of the Poker Run to Benefit Camp JOY, to ask for a few moments to address the group. Having missed that possible opportunity, I would like to use this method, albeit somewhat lacking the enthusiasm and sincerity that I could have displayed and/or conveyed in person to express heartfelt and overwhelming gratitude for the unbelievably generous donation made by the Chapter at the 11th Annual Poker Run last year. The Poker Run and all activities related to it raised $30,000 which was used, all of it, to provide Camperships for many individuals who would not otherwise been able to attend the very special place we call Camp JOY because of financial difficulty. Some of our BACA Chapter members are aware that many campers are and have been exposed to abuse of every sort...mainly because they are "different" and frequently because they are unable to tell of the atrocities visited upon them. I am extremely proud to report that the BACA MontCo contribution to the mentioned amount represented 20% of the total and really made a big difference!!
I just realized that I may have mentioned at the beginning of this EMessage that it was going to be "short"...hmmmm. Maybe it was better that I didn't take the microphone that night...we might still be there! Thank you, everyone, for the super work you all do and especially for the love and continuing support that you have for OUR Camp!!
I am privileged to be an Honorary Member to know you all!
Ride Safe!
Jim Hay
Co-Founder, Camp Joy
Biker
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News Articles From Rominger Legal
Bikers go into court to support child -abuse victims
Feb 8, 2004 - The Harrisburg Patriot
Author(s): Jennifer Kay
Ron Miner stopped talking and stared at the defendant walking past him into the courtroom. He made sure
the man, charged with sexually assaulting a 3-year-old girl, got a look at the patches on his denim vest:
Bikers Against Child Abuse.
Longtime participants of toy runs and other charity fund- raisers, some bikers now take their motorcycles to the courtroom for a more personal stand against child abuse. They say their fierce reputation lends strength to victims and their families in court.
Miner had kind words and a hug for the girl's mother, getting ready to testify. "We're not here to threaten
anybody. We're here to let you know that people do care," he told her. Miner and four other members of the Bikers Against Child Abuse of Montgomery County Inc. attended the Jan. 27 preliminary hearing in Willow Grove district court, all wearing patch-covered denim vests over their leather jackets. They make time during the week to come to court, they say, to fill a void for families in need. "They need a bigger shoulder to lean on than they're getting from the public," said chapter president Keith "Orangeman" Dungan of North Wales. Dungan offered the girl's mother, who didn't know they were coming, his cell phone number to call if she needed food, clothing or a contact with the county's social services.
Miner, known in the group as "Pinhead," got on his knees to talk to the girl. She hid her eyes under a hat.
The 40-member group, part of a Pennsylvania -based organization that promotes child abuse awareness and prevention, made their first court appearance in December 2001. The Montgomery County district attorney's office embraced their initiative. Wendy Demchick -Alloy, chief of the office's sex crimes unit, said the bikers are "law-abiding, civilized, very well-intentioned." "I'm sure there's going to be some whining at some point, 'They're intimidating.' That's not what they're doing. They want to help," she said.
In March, a judge in Provo, Utah, ordered bikers attending pretrial hearings for a man charged with
molesting children to leave their jackets bearing their logo -- a red and white fist with "BACA" across the
knuckles -- outside the courtroom. The bikers in their leather riding gear "just made it a circus every time we had court," defense attorney Mike Esplin said, making intimidating comments to the family of his client.
The Pennsylvania Bikers Against Child Abuse, whose logo is a motorcycle above their motto, "Please Stop
the Hurt, it's their Future," are not affiliated with the Utah-based group. Members from both biker groups repeat the same mission statement: We want to help kids feel safe. We just happen to ride motorcycles.
Court appearances are part of a plan developed by a child therapist who founded the Utah-based Bikers
Against Child Abuse Inc. in 1995. Paul DuBois, the group's spokesman, said their members go to court to
make children feel safe enough to testify. "The perpetrator might get a little intimidated, and that's OK in our opinion, because what did that perpetrator do to that child when he was raping him?" he said. The bikers get involved at the request of an abused child's family once a case is brought to court, DuBois
said.
Miner and the Montgomery County bikers never spoke to the defendant. They had hoped he would waive
his preliminary hearing so the girl's mother would not have to testify. The judge set bail and ordered him
held for trial. Outside the court building, Miner, of Hatfield, said, "They didn't totally take his bail, but he doesn't have the money to get out. We feel good about what was accomplished. Bikers Against Child Abuse of Montgomery County www.bacamontco.com © Copyright 2005 NetContent, Inc. Duplication and distribution restricted.
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