Boisterous automobile enthusiasts and local authorities squared off in Florida on Sunday afternoon, 1 December.
Florida Police, the local CPF and several other organisations held a joint operation to deal with a mass gathering along Swan Street on the banks of Florida Lake.
The mayhem of cars was arranged by Stance Universe, which is a local car-enthusiast club that holds regular ‘park-offs’ to showcase their four-wheeled masterpieces. Claims that the event was not planned properly prompted local authorities to investigate the gathering.
”No joint operations committee approval was obtained, no traffic control was present, cars were blocking residents from getting in and no cleanup was arranged,” said Florida CPF chairperson Riaz Jogee. Authorities closed off all access to the lake in order to filter the cars and their occupants away. In doing so, they were able to inspect several vehicles and their drivers. Over 60 fines were issued, four drivers were arrested for drunk driving and four cars were impounded.
Tensions escalated when several members of the car club congregated at the Beacon Isle Shopping Centre, only to be followed by the authorities. Police asked the crowd to disperse and created roadblocks to corral the drivers. This caused consternation with the group that often gathers in this fashion. Chad Britton of Stance Universe took exception to the police’s actions saying, “We were pushed into groups like animals and very rudely spoken to”.
Britton further defended his group, “Stance Universe is a society of people who do not endorse violence or illegal behaviour. The events are also platforms to socialise and gain friends and acquaintances who have the same interests.” Jogee countered, ”The problem is they have no permission to do what they are doing at that venue. Unfortunately we can’t support them in that manner.”
Florida Police spokesperson, Sergeant Mpho More, stated, ”The station commander would like to thank everyone who took part in making sure that those partying illegally in our area were out of our area. We are working on making sure that residents are safe.”
Cars can evoke a sense of artistry in those who see the beauty in them but as with any collection, it needs the appropriate gallery to be fully appreciated.
