Bar owner not scared about hosting bikers' meeting

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A northeast Harris County bar and grill will host a biker meet-up Saturday, and the owner says he is confident the meeting will happen peacefully.

The Houston chapter of the Texas Confederation of Clubs and Independents is scheduled to meet at the Hawg Stop Bar and Grill Saturday afternoon.

Delmer Barkley bought the property 16 years ago and said he has never had a single problem with bikers.

"Never. The bikers are the easiest people to deal with," Barkley said.

The COC&I were meeting at the Twin Peaks restaurant in Waco last month when the shooting happened, killing nine bikers.

Barkley said he is not concerned about possible violence Saturday.

"That was just maybe a few, and we don't know the truth about Waco yet. The whole truth isn't out there yet," Barkley said. "But the ones that we know here are very outgoing and gentle, and they're just great people."

The Texas COC&I has held meetings at the Hawg Stop in the past.

"They'll come and have their little meetings here on the back stage," Barkley said, "where we have an outdoor area back here."

According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, there have been no reports of violence at the Hawg Stop in the last five months. A spokesman said things are usually pretty quiet there.

Barkley said he plans on keeping it that way.

The COC&I was supposed to have its meeting at the Copper Top Ice House in La Marque, but the owner there told Eyewitness News the group decided to change venues. Eyewitness News is waiting to hear from the COC&I on why they moved.