You see the patch and you know. The "P" with the Norse-inspired fire giant Surtr carrying a flaming sword. People call it the Blue Wave. If you’ve spent any time driving the Long Island Expressway or hanging around the bars in Suffolk County, you’ve probably seen them. They aren't just some weekend riding group. The Long Island Pagans motorcycle club is a heavy hitter in the world of Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMGs), and honestly, the reality of the club is a lot messier than the movies make it out to be.
Law enforcement calls them a Tier 1 threat. The DOJ puts them right up there with the Hells Angels and the Outlaws. But on the ground in New York, the dynamic is shifting constantly. It’s about territory. It’s about who controls the "Island."
What’s Actually Going on With the Long Island Pagans Motorcycle Club?
Long Island has always been a weird, high-pressure battleground for outlaw clubs. You’ve got the Hells Angels with a deep-rooted history in New York City and parts of Nassau. Then you have the Pagans, who historically dominated the Mid-Atlantic—think Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. For decades, the Pagans stayed south of the Mason-Dixon or tucked into the Philly suburbs. But lately? They’ve been pushing hard into New York.
The "Blue Wave" isn't just a catchy nickname. It refers to a massive recruitment drive led by former national president Keith "Conan" Richter. Under his leadership, the club exploded in size. They started "patching over" smaller clubs. They didn't care if you had been a prospect for years; they wanted numbers. And a lot of those numbers landed right in the middle of Long Island.
Why Long Island? Geography. It’s a dead end. If you control the docks, the distribution routes, and the local dive bars from Hempstead to Montauk, you’ve got a stranglehold on a very wealthy, very densely populated area.
The Conflict is Real
It isn't all brotherhood and beer. Over the last few years, the tension between the Pagans and the Hells Angels has turned into a legitimate chess match with violent outbursts. You might remember the 2020 incidents where a Pagans clubhouse in the area was targeted, or the retaliatory strikes that law enforcement scrambled to get ahead of. This isn't just about "respect." It’s about business.
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When we talk about the Long Island Pagans motorcycle club, we're talking about a group that operates with a strict hierarchy. They have a "Mother Club" that dictates the rules from the top down. On the Island, that translates to local chapters that are expected to hold their ground at all costs.
The Law Enforcement Crackdown
The feds are obsessed with them. There's no other way to put it. Between the ATF and the FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force, the heat is constant. In 2021 and 2022, we saw a massive wave of indictments. We’re talking RICO charges, racketeering, and enough illegal firearms to arm a small militia.
One of the most significant hits was the arrest of high-ranking members involved in a distribution ring that stretched across Suffolk County. Prosecutors weren't just looking for drugs; they were looking to dismantle the infrastructure. They seized "cuts," they seized bikes, and they grabbed cell phones that held the keys to the club's communication.
But here’s the thing: you can’t just "arrest" a club out of existence. When one leader goes to Danbury or another federal pen, a new one steps up. It’s a hydra.
Life Inside the Patch
What does it actually look like to be in the Long Island Pagans motorcycle club? Honestly, it’s a full-time job. It’s not just riding on Sundays. There are mandatory meetings, called "church." There are dues. There’s a constant requirement to be "on call" for the brotherhood.
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- The Prospecting Process: It is brutal. You aren't a member. You're a servant. You guard the bikes. You don't speak unless spoken to. On Long Island, this can last for a year or more.
- The Colors: The blue and white. If you wear them, you’re a target for both rival clubs and the cops.
- The Women: The Pagans are notoriously old-school. Women are not members. They are "property" or "associates." It’s a hyper-masculine environment that feels like a throwback to the 1960s, for better or worse.
Debunking the Myths
People think every Pagan is a criminal. That’s not technically true, though the government would argue the organization itself is a criminal enterprise. You’ll find guys who work in construction, mechanics, and even white-collar jobs who live for the weekend when they can put on their colors.
There’s also this idea that they are "anti-law enforcement" in a way that’s chaotic. It’s actually very calculated. They have lawyers. They know their rights. They aren't looking for a shootout on Sunrise Highway. That’s bad for business. They want to be left alone to run their operations, whatever those may be.
The Recruitment Shift
In the past, you had to be a hardcore biker to even get a look from the Pagans. Now? They’ve been accused of "lowering their standards" to win the numbers game against the Hells Angels. They’ve recruited younger guys, sometimes even former street gang members, which has changed the culture of the Long Island Pagans motorcycle club. The older "one-percenters" often complain that the new generation doesn't respect the traditions. They're more about social media and flash than the quiet discipline of the old days.
The Future of the Blue Wave on Long Island
So, where does it go from here? The Pagans are currently in a state of flux. With several major leaders behind bars, the power vacuum is being filled by younger, more aggressive members. This makes the situation on Long Island unpredictable.
The Suffolk County Police Department has increased patrols in known "biker bars" and has been using license plate readers to track club movements across the bridges. But the Pagans are smart. They move their meetings. They use encrypted apps.
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How to Recognize Their Presence
If you're out and about, you'll see the signs.
- The 1% Diamond: Usually worn on the front of the vest over the heart.
- The "16" Patch: P is the 16th letter of the alphabet. It's a subtle way to show affiliation.
- Support Gear: You might see people wearing shirts that say "Support Your Local Blue & White." These are often "hangarounds" or friends of the club who aren't full members.
Navigating the Reality of Outlaw Culture
Dealing with the presence of the Long Island Pagans motorcycle club in your community is about awareness, not fear. For the average person, these guys aren't going to bother you. They aren't looking to start trouble with civilians. Their beef is with the government and other clubs.
However, the "collateral damage" of these rivalries is what worries the public. When a fight breaks out in a bar or a shooting happens on a highway, regular people get caught in the middle. That’s why the "Blue Wave" remains such a hot-button issue for New York lawmakers.
Actionable Insights for Staying Informed
If you want to keep tabs on the situation or if you're concerned about gang activity in your neighborhood, here’s how to handle it:
- Monitor Local News for RICO Updates: Most major shifts in club power are documented in federal court filings. Sites like the Department of Justice’s press release page for the Eastern District of New York are goldmines for factual information.
- Understand Territory: Be aware that certain towns on the South Shore have higher concentrations of club-affiliated bars. It doesn't mean you can't go there, but being aware of your surroundings is just common sense.
- Respect the Space: If you encounter a large group of riders, give them space on the road. Do not try to weave through their formation. It’s seen as a sign of disrespect and can lead to dangerous confrontations.
- Report, Don't Confront: If you witness illegal activity, don't try to be a hero. The Pagans are an organized group with deep resources. Use anonymous tip lines provided by the Suffolk or Nassau County Police Departments.
The Long Island Pagans motorcycle club is a complex, often misunderstood part of the New York landscape. They are a brotherhood, a business, and a target for the law. As the "Blue Wave" continues to crash against the shores of the Island, the only thing that's certain is that they aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Their history is written in the asphalt of the LIE, and their future depends on how well they can navigate the tightening noose of federal oversight.