Growing number of car rallies in Brampton could be spillover after bylaw crackdown in Vaughan

Brampton is looking to put the brakes on a growing number of car rallies and “takeover events” that could have come across the border from Vaughan.

Back in April, the City of Vaughan cracked down on rowdy car rallies by toughening bylaws with fines of up to $10,000.

But since then police say there have been over a dozen similar “takeover events” in Brampton, leading city council to follow the neighbouring municipality’s lead with tougher bylaws to cut down on street racing, stunt driving and loud rallies.

Brampton City Coun. Rowena Santos raised the issue in council chambers on Wednesday, saying with car rallies outlawed in Vaughan that “spillover will most certainly come to Brampton.”

Data from Peel Regional Police seems to back up the claim, as officers were called to 21 different car rallies in Brampton between May 29 and June 24.

Acting Insp. Shawn Rice with PRP Road Safety Services said some of the rallies had participants using fireworks and gasoline to “excite and encourage unruly behaviour.” Both Santos and Coun. Dennis Keenan said they’ve heard repeated complaints from residents about loud mufflers and street racing in the middle of the night.

Vaughan’s new maximum fine for participating in an unauthorized car rally is $10,000, and attendees can also receive administrative penalties of $1,000 for a first offence and $2,000 for each following offence.

Insp. Rice said that some $38,000 in fines were laid at the first car rally held in Vaughan after the bylaw changes were introduced.

Street racing and car rallies have been an issue in Mississauga for years. Residents in the Churchill Meadows area started a petition last year to increase the police presence at a local plaza, enforce laws and set up speed cameras.

Santos issued a motion on Wednesday directing city staff to review the City of Vaughan special events and noise bylaws to see if similar measures can be brought to Brampton “in respect to car rallies for the purpose of increased public safety in our community.”

City staff are expected to report back in September.