As the warm weather approaches, Guelph police are reminding car and truck enthusiasts to ensure gatherings are done in a safe and family-friendly manner.
Officers say they attended a south-end parking lot Saturday night where they located more than 100 trucks participating in an unsanctioned gathering. Two trucks were taken off the road for equipment violations after completing vehicle inspections.
This was the second instance when police were called for a meet up this spring. On Apr. 18, officers were informed of a large gathering of modified pickup trucks scheduled to be held in the city. Police say a previous gathering had been hosted by the same organizers. That gathering led to stunt driving, according to videos posted online, and “extensive” damage to private property.
Guelph officers say the majority of enthusiasts operate gatherings respectively, but there have been and increase in “large, unsanctioned ‘take-over’ meetings”.
But they are not the only force concerned about these meet-ups.
Police services across Ontario have been cracking down on unsanctioned car meet-ups in recent years.
On May 30, 2025, Waterloo Regional Police laid 13 charges and two warnings at a large car rally in Cambridge.
That gathering was reported by local businesses after approximately 200 vehicles crowded the area and were speeding, blocking driveways, and causing excessive noise.
Officers say one reason meet-ups are increasing is the organizational power of social media. Posts online can attract hundreds of individuals and cars to unsanctioned areas.
“The Guelph Police Service is committed to enforcing safe driving behaviour and will not tolerate such gatherings,” officers said.