bad luck in new jersey

[Earlc]

Attended the boardwalk classic show in Wildwood New Jersey this past weekend, great weather, great show, lined up on the boardwalk each day thousands of people, lots of DO Wop, fireworks, drive in movie in the street cruising every night but my best friend had some rotten luck. The Irish festival was also the same weekend and while cruising both sides of the street including the hotel balconies were lined with cheering people ( looked like mardi gras at places ) While stopped at on intersection people were holding signs, Boobs for burnouts, Light em up and such and my best friend in hi 56 was just in front of me and did not see the unmarked police car across the street and he did a small burnout. He was charged with reckless driving and given a mandatory court appearance which means another $82 round trip ferry crossing and 6 points on his license if found guilty....recklass driving seems a little severe for just getting caught up in the moment and spinning the tires a little, especially since there was evidence of burnouts at every single intersection. Don't get me wrong, I am not knocking the police dept for doing their job, but reckless driving seems overkill. as a previous police officer I would think that " careless driving" which is much less severe, less points and does not require a mandatory court appearance would have been much more in line.

[wraplock]

I hear this from people all over the Northeast. Especially at large events. I just spoke to a friend who return from the Lake George NY meet. It's touted as the larges streetrod/hotrod event in the NE. He said the cops were out in full force writing tickets for everything they could. Hey these small towns have to bring in many cops at overtime pay. Guess they have to pay for them somehow. They love your money but wish you could just wire it in and stay home! That's why I no longer go to car or motorcycle events. Let them balance their budgets with some other persons money!

Don

BTW the person with the Boobs for burnouts sign was probably the towns tax receiver!

[chevman57]

I look at this from several different views. We go to a cruise about 120 miles away. They used to allow a lot of stuff, burnouts included. But it seemed to escalate each year until there were some accidents injuring people. So a couple of years ago they went to cracking down on the burnouts and street racing. This year was the first year in which i had my car on the road for it and it went smoothly. Yes the cops were out, saw several cars riding around also but didn`t see them messing with anyone. I did hear one issue a warning over the loud speaker for the driver to slow down.
Terry

[Str8axle]

I stopped going to Wildwood five years ago for just that reason. The cops do everything they can to discourage cruising. So much so, that it makes it a waste of gas to even drive down there. They block roads off here and there and funnel you around till you wind up at the foot of the bridge that leads out of town. "Ok, I get the hint!!".
What ruined Wildwood was the 18yr old punks in their 5.0 Mustangs that, instead of doing a burnout and then letting out of it, they gotta stretch it for five blocks. Not too cool when the sidewalks are lined with spectators.
I can't blame the cops for doing their jobs but, the zero tollerance/xtreme fines discourages alot of people from returning. At least it did me. Those bad apples ruined it for the whole bunch.

[carls 56]

that is a shame earl. i just hope he got an eye full for the burnout.

[g55keeney]

The Law Enforcement here in Columbus is a little more understanding. When GoddGuys was her in July this year I was out in my 55 doing burnouts right beside a patrol car. For the most part they understand that we love our cars and are not going to be stupid and ruin what took years to build.

[Chevy57Ray]

Hi, around here, Police discourage large meet/cruise night without permit and close down business that get too much complaints because of noise, burnout & stupid acting. Guys, there is place to evaluate your performance, don't use the road as a race track because our friend policemen will not be so friendly.

[petes83usa]

Originally Posted by carls 56

that is a shame earl. i just hope he got an eye full for the burnout.

.....

[nhramike57]

I looked at this from both perspectives and ya im not against a short burnout or grabbing second gear and barking the tires but there's always somebody that wants to turn it up a notch and out do the last guy..i keep thinking of the fellow from Texas with the ProMod car a couple of years ago at a Tennessee event that did a burnout and lost control killing six bystanders..not something i would want to live with. Take it to the track where the conditions are controlled and drive it like ya stole it

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/17/o...-in-tennessee/

[belairrudy]

Around here the cops don't mind if you break a little traction here and there at the small events. But at the large events... thats another story. its all about the revenue.