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 Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Calgary police to release more details on pro-Palestinian protest
Details on arrests, tickets and charges against a number of pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at the University of Calgary will be released on Friday, police say,
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.