Smiths Falls Police are offering a detailed clarification of what happened during a Bike Night planning meeting that has become central to the resignation of former Downtown Smiths Falls Business Association chair Christin Storms.
The service has provided LanarkLeedsToday.ca a statement from Deputy Chief Chris Kettyle.
In it, Kettyle says the June 9 meeting was called to discuss safety and security concerns following the June Bike Night and included representatives from the town, fire department, police, DBIA and the OPP-led Provincial Biker Enforcement Unit.
The clarification follows comments from Storms, who told LanarkLeedsToday.ca she felt blindsided by an enforcement presentation and the direction of the meeting. Storms said photographs involving herself and people attending Bike Night were shown and described the experience as an “ambush.”
Kettyle says the meeting was not organized to target Storms or undermine her credibility.
Police say one issue discussed was the presence of known members of criminal organizations, including outlaw motorcycle gangs, and the potential safety, security and liability concerns associated with their attendance.
One possible option raised was a DBIA policy concerning gang-affiliated patches or colours. Kettyle stressed that police did not order organizers to introduce such a ban.
The DBIA ultimately decided not to pursue it.
Police also clarified that the discussion was only about known criminal organizations. Kettyle says it was never intended to affect legitimate motorcycle clubs, independent riders, community groups or other organizations not identified as criminal.
Another point of disagreement involves photographs discussed during the meeting.
Storms previously said the presentation included photographs of herself, her husband, friends and family.
Kettyle says neither Storms nor her family were the intended subjects of photographs taken by Smiths Falls Police, and he is not aware of another law enforcement agency specifically photographing them.
He says one photograph shown during the Provincial Biker Enforcement Unit presentation depicted an intersection connected to an incident at the previous Bike Night.
More than 100 people were visible in the picture, including Storms, who Kettyle says appeared toward the right side of the image with her back to the camera.
According to Kettyle, Storms was captured incidentally, the photographer did not know who she was when the image was taken, and her presence was only recognized during the June 9 meeting.
The dispute became public earlier this month after Bradshaw Cycle Works alleged Storms had been treated unfairly and forced to resign. Police previously denied forcing her out, saying they had no authority to demand the resignation of a volunteer association member.
The DBIA later said circumstances following the June meeting left Storms feeling she could not remain on the board, continue leading Bike Night and pursue a formal complaint at the same time.
Kettyle says Storms is entitled to her interpretation of the meeting, but from a policing perspective, discussions about organized crime, public safety and potential liability are appropriate parts of planning a major public event.
He says police remain fully supportive of Bike Night and appreciate the work Storms and the DBIA have put into building it.
The service plans to maintain a visible presence when Bike Night returns to Beckwith Street for the final event of the 2026 season on Sept. 2.
