California: Police Raid Car Enthusiast Gathering, Generate Revenue
04-06-08, 02:06 PM
#35
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I think everyone is getting more than a bit worked up over a one-sided report from a questionable source. Let me summarize the article from a different point of view:
Last night, police in Riverside, CA assisted by other area law enforcement made a significant breakthrough in their battle against organized crime elements. Recent statistics show that these gangs have brought drugs into the area, with a commensurate rise in both violent and non-violent crime.
"Hey, were weren't doin' nothin'," claimed one tattooed, pierced participant at the "car enthusiast meet", held illegally in a shopping center parking lot around midnight.
"We have found that these "meets" are merely an excuse for criminal elements to get together," explained the Riverside police chief. "Associated with them we often find street racing, underage drinking, and even blatant drug dealing. Nineteen innocent people have lost their lives in Riverside County in the past 12 months due to street race-related incidents, and the citizens have had enough."
In fact, police say, it was the increasing clamor from residents and business owners that led to the raid. "People were getting ready to take things into their own hands," explained the FBI liaison to the crime-fighting effort. "Obviously, we want law enforcement to be handled by professionals, so we organized this coordinated sting. The message is out--criminal elements can no longer use these kind of events as cover for their nefarious activities."
While some of those fined or cited at the event have claimed harassment and are threatening to sue, the local D.A. is confident there will be no problems. "Everything was done by the book," he claims, adding "These were all legitimate tickets for clear violations of the law. My office stands ready to defend the actions of our police, and I am confident all the offenders will do is waste money on lawyers if they try to fight these charges."
One man who refused to give his name for this interview challenged police. "We'll be back," he boasted. "Or maybe we'll just move to another city where the heat isn't so high."
For the citizens of Riverside, maybe that's enough.
Last night, police in Riverside, CA assisted by other area law enforcement made a significant breakthrough in their battle against organized crime elements. Recent statistics show that these gangs have brought drugs into the area, with a commensurate rise in both violent and non-violent crime.
"Hey, were weren't doin' nothin'," claimed one tattooed, pierced participant at the "car enthusiast meet", held illegally in a shopping center parking lot around midnight.
"We have found that these "meets" are merely an excuse for criminal elements to get together," explained the Riverside police chief. "Associated with them we often find street racing, underage drinking, and even blatant drug dealing. Nineteen innocent people have lost their lives in Riverside County in the past 12 months due to street race-related incidents, and the citizens have had enough."
In fact, police say, it was the increasing clamor from residents and business owners that led to the raid. "People were getting ready to take things into their own hands," explained the FBI liaison to the crime-fighting effort. "Obviously, we want law enforcement to be handled by professionals, so we organized this coordinated sting. The message is out--criminal elements can no longer use these kind of events as cover for their nefarious activities."
While some of those fined or cited at the event have claimed harassment and are threatening to sue, the local D.A. is confident there will be no problems. "Everything was done by the book," he claims, adding "These were all legitimate tickets for clear violations of the law. My office stands ready to defend the actions of our police, and I am confident all the offenders will do is waste money on lawyers if they try to fight these charges."
One man who refused to give his name for this interview challenged police. "We'll be back," he boasted. "Or maybe we'll just move to another city where the heat isn't so high."
For the citizens of Riverside, maybe that's enough.
04-06-08, 03:29 PM
#36
excuse me but thats an EXTREMELY broad generalization. im an officer with Imports@UCR and we hold meets somewhat regularly near our campus in a private parking lot and the eateries there LOVE us, and encourage us to come out more since its a lot of extra business when they normally dont have much.
mind you, we are pretty strict about people pulling stupid crap (revving, speeding, burnouts, etc...) and even limit the loud music alot.
mind you, we are pretty strict about people pulling stupid crap (revving, speeding, burnouts, etc...) and even limit the loud music alot.
04-06-08, 03:42 PM
#37
Reminds me:
Everyone knows about Miranda Rights = "You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to an attorney."
If this ever happens:
(1) Don't say a word to the cops (Your right to remain silent) other than "I want a public lawyer." (Your right to an attorney.)
(2) Cops will have to call for a public lawyer to arrive at the spot to tell you what the laws are, and to see if you broke a law.
(3) Repeat 100+ times for all those people that were entrapped.
By the way, Entrapment is against the law. Police should know that.
Everyone knows about Miranda Rights = "You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to an attorney."
If this ever happens:
(1) Don't say a word to the cops (Your right to remain silent) other than "I want a public lawyer." (Your right to an attorney.)
(2) Cops will have to call for a public lawyer to arrive at the spot to tell you what the laws are, and to see if you broke a law.
(3) Repeat 100+ times for all those people that were entrapped.
By the way, Entrapment is against the law. Police should know that.
04-07-08, 01:29 PM
#38
Does California really suck? Read the articles first...
Some guys on the Supra Forums posted this up. Just wondering if this is true or not.
http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/23/2302.asp
http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/18/1831.asp
http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/05/576.asp
Well, I know most of you guys here don't drive Hondas and such. But just wondering how this applies to you modded Lexus guys over in Cali. Is it really that bad or is the article just exaggerating it? Not even sure if these articles are from a reliable source. I don't see any citation of what newspaper it's actually from.
Being ticketed for being at a car meet? Completely bone stock cars that look aftermarket getting ticketed for illegal modifications(namely EVO/STI). That's some straight up BS right there.
http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/23/2302.asp
http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/18/1831.asp
http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/05/576.asp
Well, I know most of you guys here don't drive Hondas and such. But just wondering how this applies to you modded Lexus guys over in Cali. Is it really that bad or is the article just exaggerating it? Not even sure if these articles are from a reliable source. I don't see any citation of what newspaper it's actually from.
Being ticketed for being at a car meet? Completely bone stock cars that look aftermarket getting ticketed for illegal modifications(namely EVO/STI). That's some straight up BS right there.
04-07-08, 02:08 PM
#41
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Wow. That pisses me off. Your at a car meet so automaticly your participating in illegal street racing. I fully understand if they actually bust people for racing, but not for having a car with a modification on it. And crushing someone's car for having "stolen" parts even though he had receipts?
04-07-08, 02:15 PM
#42
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California doesnt suck, but the rules regarding cars do. Riverside county is probably one of the worse places to take your modded car for a drive. ive noticed the cops there are *******s. They will pull you over for any reason at all, and make up other bs reasons.
we been pulled over for just lookin at cops wrong over there...and when asked what we did, they would make some bs up like no seatbelt or no registration even though the sticker was right freakin there...
they act like gangs i swear, you look at them wrong...you dead.
we been pulled over for just lookin at cops wrong over there...and when asked what we did, they would make some bs up like no seatbelt or no registration even though the sticker was right freakin there...
they act like gangs i swear, you look at them wrong...you dead.
04-07-08, 03:03 PM
#44
But at the same time, I'm sure the po-pos take a look at the statistics of accidents and deaths caused by street racing or cars that just "happen" to drive off cliffs in the twisties and feel thy have to do something to stop it. Busting up gatherings so people don't one-up or start to push each other for new ideas seems like a way.
There's even a subforum here on CL on "racing" stories, of which the large majority really technically illegal as an exhibition of speed violation. Remember BackToTheFuture? Even a burnout from a stoplight can lead to an accident.
I think it's pure wishful thinking to believe that of people who have modded up their cars are just as "safe" as average general public, or even claim that they are "safer" because all those sporty parts improve handling. It's not really the car or carparts, but those are an expression of the owner's mindset. Modded car owners want to race and show off! And they're going to test their skills somewhere, probably on the streets and not at the track.
There's even a subforum here on CL on "racing" stories, of which the large majority really technically illegal as an exhibition of speed violation. Remember BackToTheFuture? Even a burnout from a stoplight can lead to an accident.
I think it's pure wishful thinking to believe that of people who have modded up their cars are just as "safe" as average general public, or even claim that they are "safer" because all those sporty parts improve handling. It's not really the car or carparts, but those are an expression of the owner's mindset. Modded car owners want to race and show off! And they're going to test their skills somewhere, probably on the streets and not at the track.
04-07-08, 03:09 PM
#45
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A few years back, there was this one sheriffs officer in Cerritos that would give me the most retarded tickets...
1. clear corners (first gen 3.2 TL, factory clear corner, orange bumper lens)
2. stickers
3. wheels too big ticket (18 inch wheels, stocks are 15 so it is illegal)
This particular cop pulled me over about 6 times in 2 months and handed me many citations, but these were the most ridiculous. Others include modified exhaust (Greddy, won in court), modified suspension (took it to CHP and they signed it off about 30 mins from recieving the ticket), no front license plate, etc.. Cop hated me since I contested the tickets and won most of them.
1. clear corners (first gen 3.2 TL, factory clear corner, orange bumper lens)
2. stickers
3. wheels too big ticket (18 inch wheels, stocks are 15 so it is illegal)
This particular cop pulled me over about 6 times in 2 months and handed me many citations, but these were the most ridiculous. Others include modified exhaust (Greddy, won in court), modified suspension (took it to CHP and they signed it off about 30 mins from recieving the ticket), no front license plate, etc.. Cop hated me since I contested the tickets and won most of them.