The Dark Minds of Regulated Media – Should 1%er Be Allowed to Be a 1st Responder?

Recently, several central Florida media outlets ran a story regarding two local Fire Department Captains who also belong to, or are leaders of local Motorcycle Clubs. Before we delve into the dark minds of the regulated media’s slant on ‘Journalism’ we should explore what they do on a slow news day. Typically if there are no dramatic or tragic news events to report, they will dig dirt with the voracity of a drag-line.

If you are a reader of this publication, you are in one way or the other involved with the motorcycling community and you are likewise exposed to the regulated media. At Born To Ride Multi Media, we like to report the news and events that are compelling, interesting, and informative to those who ride motorcycles or those whom are involved in the industry – or both. Even if you don’t ride a motorcycle, you have the right to know what’s really going on in regard to our lifestyle. Even though I have lived this biker lifestyle 30+ years, I do not profess to be an expert on this or any other experience, but I do have the ability to sort out the drama & BS and accurately portray it to my dedicated readers.

Keep in mind that there a many professions out there that do not require you to put yourself ‘in harm’s way’ on a daily basis and I am certain that if a local handyman or cable installer were a member of a Motorcycle Club, it wouldn’t be sensational enough to do a news expose’ on them. However, our First Responders – Fire Fighters, EMT personnel and Law Enforcement put their lives on the line every day to ensure our safety. Is it anyone’s business what they do on their days off or when they are not on the clock – especially when none of these men have committed crimes, have criminal backgrounds, or bad reports from their employers? I think not. Think about it for a few minutes and answer these questions honestly:

• Is this an important news story at all?
• The stories say there are no fire department policies preventing gang members from becoming firefighters or firefighters from becoming gang members. Should there be?
• Should anyone be concerned what these firefighters are doing on their off-duty time if they haven’t been charged with a crime?
• Is this activity something a fire chief should be concerned about?
• Should the local government be concerned about the impact such activity has on the image of the department?
• Should it be the business of the department, the news media or even the public when, or if, there are criminal charges connected to this activity?
• Should a Motorcycle Club of any sort be considered a “Gang”?

Keep in mind that Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters, Veteran organizations and other factions (including Masonic & other popular Fraternities) often join together and “Fly Colors.” According to law enforcement, there are two distinct groups within Motorcycling Community. There is the 99 percent, who believe in following and respecting the law. Then there are the “1%ers” who proudly display a patch that signifies an anti-law abiding lifestyle.

WFTS-TV’s Jarrod Holbrook states that “In recent years we’ve run a number of stories about firefighters, EMS workers and even 911 employees who’ve received disciplinary action or lost their jobs after making public statements against law enforcement.” However in this case, neither of the Fire Captains exposed have been involved in crimes, issued derogatory statements regarding Law Enforcement or had a bad employment review within their respective departments of service. Holbrook couldn’t expound on a reason or rhyme to the instant case but as an ‘Investigative reporter’ he has to dig deep to get the scoop on something we assume. In my opinion the reports are slanted against (not just club members) but the entire motorcycling community. Remember that everyone believes everything they hear on social media or the news, so this is injurious not only to clubs but to all of us as bikers.

Let’s focus first on Capt. James Costa of the Hillsborough County Fire Department. Costa has served 35 years as a first responder and in his career has worked his way up to the position of captain in the department. Chief Dennis Jones of HCFD quoted that “there are no issues” regarding Costa and that there are no policies regarding employees being involved with what the ATF, FBI and other alphabet soup agencies refer to as OMG’s or Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs. Chief Jones further quoted that he “did not consider it a safety or security issue.” “He’s had a clean criminal record since becoming a firefighter.” And in his 35 years with the department, Costa’s evaluations have been above average and positive, per county human resource documents.

Costa was clearly exposed and targeted by the yellow journalism practiced by the local news channels, and the ramifications did come home to his employment at the very minute of his retirement. After seeing the ‘report’ on the news, Chief Jones did approach Costa regarding the story and offered him the opportunity to take ‘sick time’ away from the department in lieu of the possibility of being fired, but the Chief decided to allow Costa to take his retirement and not investigate these matters any further. As of the publication deadline, Capt. Costa is retired and Chief Jones has not taken ANY disciplinary actions against Costa or other members of the HCFD. After 35 years of dedicated service to his community Capt. James Costa may now enjoy his retirement and spend his time without the scrutiny of the various media outlets that simply want to sling mud and dig dirt. Costa has spent many years fighting fires, saving lives and supporting his community. He will continue to serve this community and his club into the future.

In the case of Glen Buzze, the situation is exactly the same. Buzze is a Fire Captain and EMT with the Pasco County Fire department. He was also exposed in this, one of the most bizarre nonsensical media stories in Florida history. Yes, Buz is also a member of a motorcycle club and he is also a respected first responder in his county of service. PCFD Chief Scott Cassin quoted that “To the County’s knowledge, no criminal activity was discovered regarding Mr. Buzze, and therefore, the SO did not make an arrest in the case.” The news report says Buzze has no criminal record. According to Chief Cassin, during that investigation “the Fire Rescue Department did monitor Captain Buzze’s activities more closely” of course, no reason to was found to terminate Buzze’s employment, and the only ‘crime’ that was committed by Buzze, according to Chief Cassin was that he used a PCFD computer or internet connection to generate a flyer for an upcoming club activity. He received a verbal reprimand for that heinous act, and wait – REALLY? You work every day and night saving lives and property and you can’t use a company printer to print one stinkin’ page? I believe the media needs a major spanking. Buzze according to Chief Cassin also has a stellar employment record with the PCFD.

When confronted in a surprise attack by WFTS-TV Cassin quoted “There are no policies in place regarding employees of PCFD being members or ‘gangs’ or otherwise.” When asked if he would like to instate a policy regarding ‘gang’ membership in the department, Cassin quoted: “We would like a lot of policies, but we have no resources or cause to implement them at this time.” When asked about Buzze’s ‘patch’ he stated, “Well the Republican Party wears a patch and they are involved with {descriptions deleted} so. …”
ATF Agent Keary Hundt (Tampa, FL) says when you’re a 1%er, “You consider yourself not subject to society’s rules and laws.” Agent Hundt investigates criminal motorcycle gangs. He says they are known for all types of crimes, “Drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, extortion, arson, bombings, you name it.”

As bikers, we are probably all familiar with the various motorcycle clubs in our state and community. I can speak to all of you as a journalist, a biker and a former member of a motorcycle club. The Government’s descriptions and definitions of 1%er clubs are inaccurate, inflammatory and overly dramatic. The regulated media feeds on the exposure of these organizations as gangs or criminals. The truth is that most motorcycle clubs exist to share brotherhood, camaraderie and the simple mutual enjoyment of riding motorcycles in a group. Seeing new places, enjoying events together and keeping it real are paramount in these organizations. 1%ers are, in my opinion at the top of the class. I can speak to you from a place of knowledge and will assure all of you that it isn’t easy to become one of the members of a 1%er club. It’s simply not for everyone. For that matter, being a first responder in any capacity is not for everyone either. All of these tasks are tough, but you must have the heart, soul and drive to make it happen. I will assure in my career as a biker and club member I have never had to commit a criminal act in any capacity. This does not mean that I will not stand my ground, because I will. This life isn’t for everyone and for all of us who share it, it is a blessing. We all have to work to survive, and once again in my opinion it is a travesty when the media wants to attack bikers at their workplace and possibly destroy their reputation and life, it’s a crime. A crime not committed by bikers of any caliber. A crime committed by people in the media who are trying to make a living exposing things that should not be brought to the public’s attention.

Until next month, Speed safely!

Craven Moorehead