Street Machine Weekend results in public order concerns and hundreds of tickets issued
Over the course of the annual Street Machine Weekend, Lethbridge Police issued nearly 260 tickets for traffic violations and responded to public order incidents involving large crowds gathered while vehicles performed dangerous and illegal stunts.
The steady increase in attendance in recent years, along with ongoing public safety concerns and traffic-related offences – including a blatant disregard for the rules of the road by some participants – has necessitated an increased police presence and the deployment of additional resources. In addition to LPS officers, Alberta Sheriffs and members of the Blood Tribe Police Service provided support throughout the weekend.
The Controlled Cruise, an organized event held Friday evening along 3 Avenue South involving registered vehicles, was well attended and the vast majority of participants conducted themselves responsibly. However, a number of unofficial gatherings on the nights of July 10 and 11 attracted large crowds and resulted in significant public safety and crowd management concerns.
On Friday night, approximately 600 people gathered in the HomeSense parking lot along the 3700 block of Mayor Magrath Drive South, where vehicles were performing burnouts and other illegal stunts. Acting on behalf of the property owner, police shut down the event. Crowds and vehicles ultimately returned to the location Saturday night and engaged in similar activity, prompting a further police response.
Just before midnight on Friday, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle along the 500 block of Mayor Magrath Drive South. Investigation determined the 28-year-old male was attempting to jaywalk westbound from the median when he was struck by a southbound vehicle travelling through a green light. The pedestrian was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The 18-year-old male driver was found to hold a Class 7 learner’s permit and was issued a ticket for not having a fully licensed driver accompanying him.
Police also attended the Wade Galloway Skate Park along the 2300 block of Parkside Drive South on Friday night to address issues related to open liquor consumption. Significant quantities of alcohol being consumed in public by adults and underage individuals were seized and disposed of. In addition, a missing youth was located at the skate park and safely returned home.
An unofficial gathering Saturday night in a private parking lot along the 3900 block of 1 Avenue South attracted an estimated 2,000 people and 800 vehicles. Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services responded following reports of significant smoke in the area. Heavy vehicle and pedestrian congestion impeded emergency access, with fire apparatus becoming stuck in traffic gridlock while attempting to reach the scene.
Over the weekend, police enforcement and response activities included:
- 257 tickets issued, primarily for speeding, stunting and equipment violations, including two drivers travelling more than 50 km/h over the speed limit
- Two Immediate Roadside Sanction Failures (one alcohol-impaired driver and one drug-impaired driver)
- 70 warnings for open liquor consumption
- Seizure and disposal of open liquor
- One suspended driver
- Seven vehicles towed
- Arrests - one for possession of a weapon, drug possession and breach of release conditions, and one for theft and breach of conditions
- Nine Public Order Unit deployments
- Crowd dispersals involving individuals trespassing on private property
- Multiple calls for service for disturbances, people fighting/domestic situations
Police wish to thank the many participants who followed the rules of the road and enjoyed the weekend safely and responsibly.
A review of this year's event will be conducted to identify additional measures and enforcement initiatives that may be required to maintain public safety during future Street Machine Weekend events.
