75 vehicles attended illegal car meet that was promoted on social media
Posted May 28, 2026 12:44:14 PM.
Last Updated May 28, 2026 12:44:18 PM.
An advertised vehicle meet-up in Ottawa was the target of police enforcement after dozens of people attended the gathering in the west end.
According to Ottawa police, they conducted a traffic enforcement operation last week after a car meet-up was prompted on social media as a legitimate event. Police said that it drew in 75 vehicles after the information to meet up in a parking lot in Kanata was circulated online.
Officers confirmed with the owners of the lot that they had not authorized the event, and the group was forced to leave.
Police said that while clearing the area, there were no incidents and all the people who attended cooperated with authorities.
“As vehicles dispersed, officers monitored nearby roads and other potential gathering locations. No significant incidents or reports of street racing were received,” officials said in the press release.
Police issued several provincial notices related to vehicle equipment and unnecessary noise in response to the gathering.
According to officials in a separate incident, the same night, police busted a 23-year-old speeding on a motorcycle. Police clocked the driver going 155 km/h in a 60 km/h zone near Merivale Road and Capilano Drive. Officers said the rider had been at a motorcycle meetup just prior.
The driver was issued a 14-day impound for the bike and had their licence suspended for 30 days.
“The OPS continues to work with property owners and community partners to address unlawful vehicle gatherings and dangerous driving,” Ottawa police said.
