Event A Danger To Public Safety
Editor:
Anyone who does not understand the objection to the Cruisin’ events should join me on my balcony to observe the goings on along Coastal Highway. It’s only noon on Friday, and so far today, I’ve observed three drag races, one full bore burn out that lit up the tires amid a cloud of blue-white smoke and numerous instances of speeding and loud mufflers on the highway. The town council took a pass on trying to enact new ordinances to reign in the terror, stating that existing ordinances are sufficient to handle any disorderly conduct.
Further, they try to deflect criticism from the event by saying, it is not the official event participants who make the trouble, it is the ‘hangers on’ who cause the problems. Obviously, the event draws the ‘hangers on,’ so whether the offenders are actual event registrants or not is immaterial. If the event goes away, so do the registrants, the ‘hangers on’ and the problems they cause. If all participants and rowdy spectators were confined to the event venues, the problems would go away. It is when the events spill onto the streets that the problem occurs.
I really cannot understand why these people insist on behaving like maniacs. Surely they know that drag racing on Coastal Highway is unacceptable behavior. Surely they must realize that their behavior is being scrutinized and yet, they insist on continuing this behavior. What better way to have an event cancelled, than to listen to complaints about the event and then choose to perpetuate the offensive behavior. And the event organizers blackmail the locals into turning a blind eye, because “you don’t want to get a reputation as not being friendly to our event. People will stop coming here.” So enforcing local laws is considered “unfriendly” to the event.
I totally understand that this is about revenue for the business owners. I get it. However, the flip side of this event is that it creates an issue with public safety. Let me say that again. This isn’t about disorderly conduct, muffler violations, or the Coastal Highway Drag-a-way. The event is a danger to public safety.
So the event organizers, local merchants and the town itself have chosen the almighty dollar and private welfare over public welfare. I’m baffled. The Twin Peaks Restaurant in Waco, Texas was blamed for the deadly shootout between the rival Bandidos and Cossacks gangs because they allowed them to gather at the same time. If they were to blame for allowing the two gangs to get together, then how is that different from inviting thousands of reckless drivers to visit the town?
There are a couple of things that could be done, although, I offer the suggestions merely tongue in cheek because I know there is no chance of any being enacted.
- Enforce the local ordinances. Treat drag racing on two levels, one as a traffic violation and secondly as a disorderly conduct offense. Arrest perpetrators on the spot and impound vehicles. Word about tough enforcement will get around.
- Enforce the noise ordinances. Pretty easy to identify which cars are too loud, particularly on Baltimore Avenue. Stop, inspect and impound improperly muffled cars.
The biggest thing here is impounding the cars. Sure, they’ll get them back, but not without paying a healthy tow bill, plus fines and the emotional distress of seeing their multi-thousand dollar toys dragged away.
The message is similar to the message sent to “Greek Week” participants couple years back. You’re welcome here, but not if you break our laws.
Kristen Dixon
Ocean City