The opportunity that many organizers of motorcycle events ask for is being given by the Palm Springs City council.

Allegedly rival outlaw motorcycle gangs are heading for Palm Springs this fall and the police chief is warning of potential for violence. However, city officials have decided to let the American Heat Palm Springs Motorcycle Weekend take place.

Similar warnings came from law enforcement in Grayslake Village, Illinois in May resulting in the events permit being pulled days before the rally was due to start. Organizers of that event were only asking for the consideration shown by Palm springs City Council in their recent vote.

The City Council voted 3-2 to allow the motorcycle event on Oct. 12-14 even though police Chief David Dominguez senses trouble. Seemingly, as a further sign of faith in both the event and those expected to attend, the City Council also voted to suspend the city's noise ordinance that weekend and to spend up to $35,000 for public safety, traffic, trash and other costs associated with the biker event.

Mayor Steve Pougnet concedes there's a potential for violence, but he says the city has done a good job policing the event in the past.

Palm Springs lies on the western edge of the Coachella Valley in central Riverside County approximately 107 miles east of Los Angeles. Because it is only a two-hour drive from Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties, there are a large number of second homes in Palm Springs. The permanent population is 43,800 as of 2001, with another 27,000 to 30,000 people living in the City in the winter, bringing the total population to almost 75,000 residents during the winter season.