Goderich mayor says town is bracing for potential 'illegal car rally'
Nearly 200 charges were laid when hundreds of car enthusiasts invaded Wasaga Beach last month.
Town officials say participants in the “illegal car rally” raced through the streets, damaged property and generally created chaos.
“In past events there’s been a high number of charges laid in relation to unsafe driving, doing burnouts in the roadway, impaired driving. Police cars were even damaged by participants in these events,” said Huron OPP Const. Jamie Stanley.
Online chatter intercepted by the OPP suggested an illegal or unsanctioned car rally, like the one in Wasaga Beach, may be coming to Goderich this weekend or next.
“That’s scary. That’s an unruly mob, more than anything else. They only care about having fun, and getting what they want. That’s not how I like to do business,” said Goderich Mayor, Myles Murdock.
An unsanctioned car rally is held in Wasaga Beach, Ont. on Sat., Aug. 27, 2022. (Photo Courtesy: YouTube/Redin IRL)
Scathing remarks from Wasaga Beach’s Mayor about the OPP response to the August car rally has prompted a more proactive approach from the Huron County OPP and Goderich, who are working together to alert residents to the possibility of the disruptive event as well as actively trying to deter any “unruly” visitors.
“If the event does happen I want to assure citizens that we do have the necessary resources in place. There may be some disruptions in terms of road closures and access points. We may have to take action to temporarily close down some roads. It’s a situation we are fully prepared for,” said Stanley.
“Just respect what we have and what we offer them for their use and be respectful of that. If they do that, that’s fine. Come anytime,” said Murdock.
The OPP isn’t certain on the exact timing this weekend or next, or a specific location in Goderich of the alleged car rally, or if it will even happen.
Meanwhile, officials in Wasaga Beach are preparing for another potential car rally in the community this weekend.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Baby and grandparents killed in wrong-way crash involving police on Ontario's Highway 401
An infant and the child's grandparents – aged 55 and 60 – were all killed when a vehicle being pursued by police in the wrong direction on Highway 401 in Whitby, Ont. caused a crash involving at least six vehicles, the Special Investigations Unit says. The driver of the suspect vehicle also died.
Judge holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000 and raises threat of jail in hush money trial
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. If he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.
T. rex is at the center of a debate over dinosaur intelligence
Surmising even the physical appearance of a dinosaur - or any extinct animal - based on its fossils is a tricky proposition, with so many uncertainties involved. Assessing a dinosaur's intelligence, considering the innumerable factors contributing to that trait, is exponentially more difficult.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
This is how many dentists have actually signed up for Canada's new free dental program
A new Canadian dental care program is offering the hope of free care to millions, but while 1.7 million people have signed up for the plan, only about 5,000 dentists have done the same.
Sword-wielding man attacks passersby in London, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring 4 others
A man wielding a sword attacked members of the public and police officers in a east London suburb early Tuesday, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring four others, authorities said.