HUNDREDS EXPECTED TO SHOW UP TO LOWRIDER CRUISE
Local car clubs hope event is first step to end ban enacted in 1992
NATIONAL CITY
Today, National City’s Highland Avenue will serve as a test drive for local lowrider groups lobbying to repeal a 1992 anti-cruise law.
Abiding by traffic laws, not drinking alcohol and cleaning up after the event will be vital as the city considers the future of the law.
National City banned cruising three decades ago to curb crime and traffic congestion. But lowriders said it stigmatized their culture.
The United Lowrider Coalition, a group that formed with the intent to have the law abolished, has spearheaded efforts for months by meeting with the police and City Council. They have argued that police have not enforced the law in years and that partnerships with law enforcement and the community have improved, which are key to having organized family-friendly cruises.
Council members and police heard their case. They ultimately agreed to temporarily suspend the anti-cruise ordinance for a period of six months. Cruising will be allowed on Highland Avenue from 6-9 p.m. on the first Friday of every month through October.
Today’s cruise will be the first of six legal cruises and hundreds of lowriders are expected to show up, said Jovita Arellano, a member of the Coalition, which organized the cruises.
The group initially thought it would see about 200 participants today, “but honestly, I think there’s going to be about 1,000 because people are trailering their cars in from Arizona, from Texas. They’re coming from Sacramento. They’re getting hotels.”
Police said no special traffic measures will be in place, though that could change should they be needed.
“Friday is the day that we all agreed on because we do have enough police staffing out there to handle it if issues do happen. We have about a third more out on
duty,” said Police Chief Jose Tellez.
Two to three police supervisors are expected to monitor the area, he added, and “if we need to call units from the field to (Highland Avenue) we will.”
The Coalition and law enforcement said they have agreed to help each other.
“We will be in direct contact with police via cell phone,” said Arellano. “If an officer sees a problem, he’s going to call me and ask us to handle it before he has to bring in his guys.”
Tellez said he understands cruises can attract large crowds but finds that this time things are different. Years ago, prior to the ordinance, cruising “was a free-for-all,” but now they have an organized event between car clubs, the city, local schools and law enforcement.
“This is a coordinated effort,” he said. “We want to be partners in this, and they want to be partners with us.”
Tellez said the police will address any complaints they receive from businesses and residents, adding that “again, this is one of six (cruises); we can adjust from there.” Arellano said she is confident businesses will enjoy the event.
“We passed out flyers about the event and I’d say 95 percent of them were like, ‘This is good.’ Some of them even made their own flyers and are having specials,” she said.
The inaugural cruise is scheduled to launch with an opening event at Sweetwater High School, starting at 5 p.m. with mariachi performances by students and where the vehicles will line up before the 6 p.m. cruise.