Loud, disrespectful car enthusiasts in Rivergrove draw police attention over summer

City police handed out dozens of tickets and cleared a north Winnipeg parking lot multiple times over the summer in response to complaints about reckless driving and excessive noise during large gatherings of car enthusiasts.

Police increased enforcement on north Main Street in Rivergrove on some Saturdays and Sunday cruise nights between June and September, while stressing a small number of drivers were responsible for the problems.

“The ones that we’re concerned about are the ones who are participating in the dangerous behaviours — the racing around and the loud revving of the engines, and doing the brake stands and smoking the tires,” said Winnipeg Police Service traffic division patrol Sgt. Brian Neumann.

Officers focused on Main Street, and some of its side streets, between Chief Peguis Trail and the Perimeter Highway.

Neumann said officers issued 46 tickets, including nine for speeding, four for imprudent driving, a couple for cellphone-related distracted driving and 18 for improper equipment.

Police took the rare step of clearing large gatherings in a parking lot at Main and Red River Boulevard on five nights, as recently as Sept. 28, he said.

That night, a driver was given a serious offence notice for speeding after being caught travelling at least 50 km/h over the posted limit, Neumann said.

The parking lot, anchored by a Sobeys grocery store, serves several businesses and services. It has been a common spot for gatherings, including Sunday cruise nights, despite the use of private security guards or barriers. Signs were posted to discourage loitering and cruising.

Neumann said trespassing charges could be considered if problems persist.

“That might be the next level,” he said.

Earlier this year, police said they had reports of people being aggressive toward security and tampering with barriers.

Some residents told the Free Press that speeding and excessive noise have been concerns for years, with large gatherings in parking lots, usually on Sunday nights, recently becoming more frequent.

They said they often hear engines revving, tires squealing or the sound of modified mufflers.

“I don’t mind the people gathering. I’m all for the cruising culture,” said local resident Gerard Marcil-Dallaire.

“I’ve been to cruise nights myself, but be responsible and be mindful of where you are. This is a residential area. Stop with the noise. You don’t need to do that.”

Marcil-Dallaire said drivers continue to gather in the parking lot at Main and Red River Boulevard, but they tend to leave when police arrive.

“We’ve seen the (police) helicopter spotlighting, and then (officers) emptying the parking lot pretty quick,” he said.

Marcil-Dallaire saw police vehicles at the lot’s entrance when it was cleared the night of Sept. 28.

“It was a lot quieter,” he said.

Some of the businesses in the lot are open at night, requiring access for customers when gatherings typically take place.

“We’re still trying to develop a better working plan with the property management and the security that they have, along with their tenants and their tenants’ needs, to try to keep this from growing to the point where we have to step in and clear lots,” Neumann said.

“Clearing lots means people who are there who are not misbehaving, unfortunately, are going to get lumped in with the misbehaving people, and we just have to eliminate it because we can’t sit and watch everybody. We have to deal with the situation before it gets out of control.”

Crowds move to a different spot when parking lots are cleared, he noted.

Neumann said some car enthusiasts migrated to the north Main area following enforcement in other parts of the city.

While police have made inroads with some groups of car enthusiasts, those who gather on north Main do not seem to be as organized as others, he said.

“I think what we’re seeing here is the growth of social media. That information just gets put out there, and people go to where the other people are,” Neumann said.

Police conducted a similar campaign in response to gatherings in the Polo Park area earlier this year.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca