Over the weekend, law enforcement personnel in Wasaga Beach initiated a clampdown on an unauthorized car rally, culminating in over 250 charges.
On Friday, law enforcement agents kicked off their mission to suppress an unsanctioned car rally slated to occur in the town over the weekend, resulting in 97 charges on that day alone. The following day, the charges spiked dramatically with 160 additional legal actions, as reported by the police.
Const. Lindsay Griffin of the OPP has reported that numerous charges ranging from suspended drivers, unlicensed drivers, improper mufflers, to infractions under the Liquor License Act were leveled, including an arrest for impaired driving due to substance abuse. She noted, “Our utmost priority is ensuring everyone in the vicinity, either residents or visitors, feel a sense of security.”
In a pre-emptive measure to mitigate infamous “takeovers,” which have sparked chaos in Wasaga Beach communities in the past, administrators of this year’s H2OI weekend social media pages have made concerted efforts to dissuade such activities.
Devin Mackenzie, who journeyed to Wasaga Beach for the Rally, communicated the participants’ motivations to indulge in their hobbies while maintaining decorum. In his words, “The draw for me is purely the diversity of people’s designs and the way their distinct personalities are showcased in their vehicles; all of this in one central location.” He further hogged criticism at those intent on spoiling everything asserting that such behavior was not welcome. Rally promoters are much inclined towards encouraging respectability and discouraging activities such as skid burns and irresponsible littering. An attitude that he finds refreshing.
The dissuasive measures seem to be gaining traction. The heightened police presence in Wasaga Beach has spurred the rally to shift towards adjacent towns like Collingwood and Stayner, reducing the gatherings there to a few disparate automobiles.
Authorities on duty within Wasaga Beach town limits, as well as in the surrounding regions of Clearview township and Springwater township among others, are all under the purview of the OPP.
Law enforcement reiterates that despite this weekend’s conclusion, inquiries about violations will persist and could potentially result in future charges for the offenders.
