Residents and visitors will see an increased law enforcement presence in Cathedral City from Friday, Sept. 18 through Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, as the Cathedral City Police Department coordinates with regional partners ahead of a Mongols Motorcycle Club gathering at the DoubleTree by Hilton Golf Resort Palm Springs. The U.S. Department of Justice identifies the Mongols Motorcycle Club as an outlaw motorcycle gang.
The gathering is a private booking arranged directly between the organizers and the privately owned resort. The City of Cathedral City did not invite this group, did not welcome this gathering, and was given no say in the decision to hold it here. The City is not a sponsor, host, or participant, and played no role in arranging it.
“We did not ask for this, and we would not have chosen it,” said City Manager Andrew Firestine. “But a private business made a private booking, and our job now is to make sure this community is protected. That is exactly what we are doing.”
Multi-Agency Coordination
“This is a documented outlaw motorcycle gang, and we are treating it that way,” said Police Chief Rick Sanchez. “We have been planning for this alongside our regional partners, and residents will see an increased law enforcement presence. That presence reflects preparation, not alarm. Anyone who breaks the law here will be held accountable, and we will not hesitate to take enforcement action.”
The Police Department is working with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, the California Highway Patrol, and neighboring municipal agencies throughout the weekend. A similar regional effort was undertaken when roughly 1,000 club members gathered in Palm Springs in October 2025, and the Police Department has coordinated closely with the City of Palm Springs on its management of past events.
Community Outreach
Police Department leadership is meeting with the Desert Princess Homeowners Association to discuss the department’s preparations directly with residents closest to the resort.
What Residents Should Know
Residents should call 911 to report emergencies or criminal activity in progress. For all other concerns, call the Cathedral City Police Department’s non-emergency line at (760) 770-0300.
The safety of Cathedral City residents remains the highest priority, and the Police Department will maintain coverage throughout the weekend.
For more information about the Cathedral City Police Department, visit https://www.cathedralcity.gov/departments/police-department.
