The Ottawa Police Service says it issued dozens of tickets at a car meet in Ottawa’s east end on Friday night.
Police say it attended the gathering on Trainyards Drive “to ensure community safety and compliance with local bylaws and applicated Province of Ontario legislation.”
- Ottawa police hand out 52 tickets following ‘unauthorized organized car meet’
- 19 charges issued at illegal “car enthusiast meetup” on Hunt Club Rd.
Videos circulating on social media show a large group of people gathered in the parking lot of the Train Yards shopping centre.
Police say officers issued more than 75 bylaw and provincial offence notices to participants who allegedly committed “a variety of offences.”
Several vehicles were also towed from the premises. One person was arrested and charged with assault.
Police have been stepping up enforcement of illegal car meetups in recent years. Officers issued 52 tickets at an unsanctioned car meet in 2025.
A post to the Instagram page car.meets.of.ottawa, which states it organized the gathering of local car enthusiasts, says it does not condone “disruptive behaviour.”
“After our recent meet, it’s clear things got out of hand, and we’ve heard from local authorities. We want to make it clear: Car Meets of Ottawa does not condone disruptive behaviour – fighting, property misuse, or reckless noise,” organizers said.
“Our meets are for passionate, respectful car enthusiasts to share their love of cars, not chaos.”
Ottawa Police will continue to monitor car gatherings and will take a zero-tolerance approach to any illegal activity. 🚗
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) April 18, 2026
If you witness unsafe or illegal behaviour, report traffic complaints online or call 613-236-1222 ext. 7300: https://t.co/aGZjatpoT1
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La Police d’Ottawa… pic.twitter.com/aW1x4WEl71
Organizers say they are working to ensure future meets are safe and smaller.
Ottawa police say in a post on X that it will continue to monitor car gatherings and take a zero-tolerance approach to any illegal activity.
