Dozens of trucks towed, arrests made during meetup
Dozens of trucks were towed while other vehicle owners received tickets or were arrested over the weekend during an unsanctioned truck meetup that attracted hundreds of enthusiasts, according to law enforcement.
Police issued 688 citations, made 35 arrests, and had 46 trucks towed between Friday and Sunday, according to a release by the Daytona Beach Shores Police Station.
“Many visitors received the message that our community would not tolerate the same illegal and destructive behavior as last year,” said Public Safety Director Stephan Dembinsky.
About 29 of those arrested face misdemeanor charges, while six others are dealing with felony charges such as carrying a concealed firearm, possessing a stolen firearm, narcotics violations, and wanted person.
Daytona Beach has a zero-tolerance policy for traffic infractions; and thanks to a new state law signed last month, law enforcement can declare an area a “special event zone” where fines are doubled for noncriminal traffic infractions, and loud music and horns are prohibited near private residences, the release showed. The new law was motivated
by previous unsanctioned truck rally events, such as one held at the Volusia Ocean Center that attracted a massive turnout with many residents complaining about public urination, littering, and reckless behavior.
“About 80% of our residents are on the beach. And I have never had
so many complaints about traffic or residents being unable to get in or out of their condos,” Dembinsky said.
The new law also allows law enforcement to hold event promoters responsible for damages or public expenses. Had the law been in effect last year, promoters
would’ve been on the hook for over $100,000, said Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood.
“We’re behind the 8-ball now in law enforcement. Somebody can sit at a keyboard in New York and decide we’re going to invade Daytona Beach Shores, or we’re going to take over the Boardwalk.
We were powerless to do anything about it. Well, now, we’re not powerless,” Chitwood said.
Last week, Chitwood and other area law enforcement leaders held a press conference warning the event promoters, Tristan Smith of St. Augustine and Andrew Gregory Tashbar of Sebastian, to discontinue the rally. According to Chitwood, the duo had been promoting the event on Daytona Beach on Facebook and TikTok and had not applied for or received the proper county permits. Chitwood’s office sent letters asking the two to reconsider and warning them that Sheriff ’s Office would hold them accountable for any overtime, EMS, firefighter, and sanitation expenses the county incurred over the weekend.
Neither Tashbar nor Smith responded to VCSO, Chitwood said.
“If your truck does not fit the specifications of a street-legal truck, we’re towing,” he said. “If you’re acting the fool and you’re gonna show your ass. We’re gonna show our ass, and you’re going to end up with traffic fines.”
This year, officers were surprised there weren’t more people attending the event, which they concluded must’ve been smaller this year due to inclement weather Saturday.