McKeesport tables biker club request; promotes first responders
Noise Makers MC leaders told council they contribute to the community and aren’t trying to cause problems.
McKeesport council unanimously decided Wednesday to table a decision to approve a conditional use request for a new biker club location.
During their agenda meeting, Mayor Michael Cherepko raised concerns about approving a request for a conditional use permit from Noise Makers MC, a local motorcycle club. The location of the potential club
would be on 312 Ringgold St., where Bubba’s Bar and Grill used to be located before it closed.
“I’m not happy where the location is, and some issues that may come with it, or may not, but it’s totally up to you,” Cherepko told council. “I got mixed feedback on what was going to happen, from parties to security, to other people coming in from all over. I just don’t see anything good coming up.”
Noise Makers President Ryder Simpson and Vice President Tiffany Wilson were both present at the meeting and told council they aren’t looking to cause any issues in the city. According to Wilson, the club was started two years ago.
“We’re all grown. We don’t have time to be carrying guns and transporting drugs,” Wilson said to council. “Get Sons of Anarchy out of your mind, please, because that’s not us. We’ve already contributed to the community. We’re not here to bring any harm to the community.”
Wilson said they gave out hot dogs and hamburgers during the city’s Juneteenth celebration. Wilson added they’re also working with local barbershops to give free haircuts.
Wilson and Simpson said their physical club location would be for members to socialize and hold events. They mentioned the location would not have a liquor license and that members could bring their own things if they wanted.
“We have a couple TVs, we have a PlayStation, we have an Xbox, we have a pool table, we have an air hockey table,” Simpson said. “It’s just a place that we call home.”
Simpson said he believed more issues take place at a regular location than with a biker group. Cherepko, however, said that the city has had some recent issues with bikers.
“We don’t have clubs, but I will tell you, we’ve had issues with bikers this year,” Cherepko said. “We were having a bike night down in Palisades that had to be shut down early this year. We have a motorcycle shop at the bottom as well across the Palisades, which we’ve had several different police incidents, down there.”
Council members seemed in agreement that they wanted to further discuss the issue during the work session portion of the meeting. During the voting meeting, council unanimously decided to table the motion.
First responder promotions
Shown, from left, are McKeesport Police Chief Josh Alfer, new Capt. Nick Matthews and Mayor Michael Cherepko. Ladimir Garcia / Mon Valley Independent
Cherepko announced three different promotions for first responders in the McKeesport Fire Department and the McKeesport Police Department.
Sidney Summers was named the new assistant police chief. Summers will be working alongside police Chief Josh Alfer.
“When we’re partnering to
Shown, from left, are McKeesport police Chief Josh Alfer, new Assistant police Chief Sidney Summers and Mayor Michael Cherepko. Ladimir Garcia / Mon Valley Independent
solve crime in this city, to fight crime, whether it’s with the attorney general’s office, the district attorney’s office, the sheriff’s office, the county police, the feds, the ATF, the FBI, he’s the person that makes it happen here for our department, and he’s done it for a long time,” Cherepko said.
Nick Matthews was promoted to police captain.
In the fire department, Cherepko announced Jason Arndt as the new deputy chief.
In other business:
• Council approved to increase the fine established for failure to remove animal feces from city-owned property.
