Organizers curb downtown cruise

FINDLAY — After several attempts to end reckless behavior at the downtown cruise held each month in Findlay, organizers have agreed to cancel future events. Mayor Christina Muryn made the announcement at the June 17 meeting of Findlay City Council, after Councilwoman Holly Frische, R-1, asked if the city could come up with a better plan for managing it. Frische said the last two cruises she attended were out of control and likened it to a "Hell's Angels" event. "There has been a lot of concern about people not feeling safe, yet people love the event at the same time," Frische said. Frische said people are still planning to cruise, despite the organizer's attempts to stop it. Muryn said that's part of the problem. She said it's not an event sanctioned by the city and there is no "standard structure around it. "The city has been working around it for the last three years, with unmarked police vehicles and mobile cameras," Muryn said. "Teams have been out trying to utilize some of the volunteers to help wrangle it, but it has gotten to a point of great frustration, and we have had a number of situations that are not easy to enforce." Muryn said the city cannot keep it a safe environment. "We have seen peeling/rapid acceleration, excessive speeds, drag racing, excessive noise and excessive exhaust and smoke, and other miscellaneous violations," said Findlay Police Chief James Mathias. Street takeovers, stunt driving and street racing are now treated as first-degree misdemeanors in Ohio, with enhanced penalties for those who participate or assist in these activities, he said. "Fleeing from police during a takeover can even be a felony offense. These new laws aim to curb dangerous and illegal activities on public roadways and private property open to the public," said Mathias. "The law specifically addresses activities like burnouts, doughnuts, drifting, and wheelies, which are considered stunt driving." He said police have observed these violations both on public roadways and private property. The event is organized via a Facebook page, with the user name "Blu Goose Motorsports," which bills itself as a promoter of local car shows, cruises and "anything automotive." On June 15, Blu Goose Motorsports posted that the monthly cruises have been cancelled, following a rowdy event just a day prior. The group has been organizing the cruises for the past five years. Blu Goose Motorsports wrote, "We have had numerous meetings with the city to try and find ways to keep this going and not have people getting into trouble. ... We asked to try and police ourselves in the car community and people didn't listen or cooperate. "I'm sure we will find a better way to help promote cruises and car shows, but for now, we are no longer affiliated with the downtown cruise. Thanks for understanding." The page has 1,300 followers. Mathias said there was good collaboration between the city and Blu Goose Motorsports, but the event continues to put both pedestrians and vehicle traffic at risk. "We don't need this type of activity on our public roadways or private property open to vehicular traffic, especially in our downtown area," he said. "Findlay citizens deserve much better, and it is time for this activity to stop by deterring dangerous behavior and promoting road safety. "Our officers will hold those persons responsible and accountable for their actions if this type of activity continues while we do our best in public safety," he said. "We want to prevent anyone from getting injured or worse. We ask the public to take reasonable care to adhere to all traffic laws and drive safely."