HOLLY — The Village of Holly has formally ceded control of downtown sidewalks to a roving gang of between six and seven 10-year-olds on electric mini bikes after officials concluded the children possess superior speed, numbers and the tactical advantage of being 10.
The group has controlled much of the downtown pedestrian network for several weeks, conducting repeated high-speed patrols past storefronts while demonstrating that pedestrian right-of-way is largely a theoretical concept when the other party is 10 and has a motor. Witnesses say the riders typically arrive without warning, make several high-speed passes through downtown and disperse before authorities can determine whether a nearby minivan is providing logistical support.
Early attempts to maintain pedestrian control ended after several adults tried holding their ground outside a downtown business and were immediately routed. “I thought they’d go around me,” said Holly resident Marlene Voss, who encountered the group Saturday afternoon. “That turned out to be a misunderstanding on my part.”
Authorities have been unable to determine whether the gang has a formal leadership structure, though one rider approximately 4 feet 7 inches tall is widely believed to be in charge because he owns the fastest bike and has twice been heard telling the others, “Come on, guys.”
Control of downtown escalated Monday when riders reportedly began demanding Pokémon cards from pedestrians in exchange for safe passage. Common cards were initially accepted, though residents said the rate had increased to one holographic card by Tuesday afternoon. One child who attempted to pay with a Yu-Gi-Oh card was turned back.
Village officials remain hopeful the occupation will ease once school resumes, though residents have been advised that control of the sidewalks is expected to revert to the gang shortly after 3 p.m. each weekday. Officials are reportedly developing a seasonal access schedule covering school dismissal, snow days and holidays.