It seems like every time there’s a pop-up car meet in Toronto, the police break it up. No doubt a few rotten apples spoil the event for everyone, by doing burnouts in the parking lot. Damaging the asphalt on private property forces the cops to step in. But sometimes they shut down these meets in anticipation of ‘problems’ occurring.
For the most part, these are peaceful assemblies of gearheads. Some folks suspect that local cops have one of their buddies come to the meet and do donuts, just to have an excuse to shut the event down before too many people show up.
Different ideas to avoid the police shutting down meets have been presented. Some thought of partnering with a charity, and making the event a fundraiser or food drive. Others have suggested inviting local media to a meet to demonstrate that these are strictly ‘park and chill’ and not ‘fast and furious’ events. Help get the public on side through media.
However, a Durham Meets pop up over the weekend seems to have found the solution. It turns out t’s all about location. The Instagram post from early in the week showed the location as a commercial parking lot backing onto Hwy 401. On three sides were stores (closed in the evening) and thanks to the same urban planning that makes suburbs terrible to live in (without a car) no residential building for miles around.
Without residents to be bothered by the occasional rev of an engine, the police had no reason to enforce excessive noise bylaws. Not to say that the cops weren’t there. Once every hour or two, a cruiser would roll through and…. say hello to the gearheads. Hard to believe, but a cop slowed up and said to a scowling gearhead ‘This is the kind of meet we like!‘ then drove off.
The meet was reasonably small, maybe 300 to 400 people. But somehow everyone just behaved like adults, and the only hooligan behaviour seen was spinning up the tires as cars were leaving. From 7:00 pm until well after it got dark, guys and gals in cars rolled in, played their music, showed off their rides, and enjoyed the evening.
Who would ever have though that a suburban police department would be so accommodating so long as the meet was well away from houses.
Just came from a couple of show this past weekend and there is always one knucklehead with a hopped up engine and bald tires. 🙂
One knucklehead. Yes. One rotten apple. I’ve been to shows this spring where everything goes smoothly, everyone is ‘chill’ then one goofball starts doing a burnout on the way out. It triggers the mob mentality, and someone else joins in. Next thing you know, the cops are kicking everyone out.
It’s crazy for sure!
Sometimes I wish I was the knucklehead. But I’m always the responsible guy puttering along in my Subaru. Hey… I’ve got kids! What kind of role model would I be?
lol ya I was the knucklehead for too many years now with my hp in my quick little 56 0-60(or speed limit) is my wild side 🙂 Always first off the line(green lights)
That sounds like the title of a surf rock song “Quick Lil ’56”
lol too funny, like that song My 409
Beach Boys
[Intro]
She’s real fine, my 409
She’s real fine, my 409
My 409
[Verse 1]
Well I saved my pennies and I saved my dimes (giddy up, giddy up 409)
For I knew there would be a time (giddy up, giddy up 409)
When I would buy a brand new 409 (409, 409)
[Chorus]
Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up 409 (giddy up, giddy up 409)
Giddy up 409 (409, 409)
Giddy up 409 (giddy up, giddy up 409)
Giddy up 40…
Nothing can catch her
Nothing can touch my 409 (409 ooooo)
[Instrumental Break]
(giddy up, giddy up oooo)
(giddy up, giddy up oooo)
(giddy up, giddy up oooo)
(giddy up, giddy up)
[Verse 2]
When I take her to the track she really shines (giddy up, giddy up 409)
She always turns in the fastest times (giddy up, giddy up 409)
My four speed, dual quad, Posi-Traction 409 (409, 409, 409, 409)
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I Get Around
The Beach Boys
Fun, Fun, Fun
The Beach Boys
In My Room
The Beach Boys
[Chorus]
Giddy up giddy up giddy up 409 (giddy up giddy up 409)
Giddy up 409 (409, 409)
Giddy up 409 (giddy up giddy up 409)
Giddy up 40…
Nothing can catch her
Nothing can touch my 409 (409, 409, 409, 409)
Giddy up 409 (409, 409, 409, 409)
Giddy up 409 (409, 409, 409, 409)