bimmerfest and the possible police presence

[pix335i]

We just got off the phone with the Earl Warren Showgrounds and spoke to them about the situation. Their understanding of why the police showed up was not because of the cars that were attending or any of the legal issues with the attendee's cars but because of the gate check-in procedures that NorCal v. SoCal had put in place. Basically the 101 was backed up quite a ways down the highway and caused some traffic issues. The police were called because of that and THEN proceeded to come out to the event.

This will simply not be an issue as bimmerfest does not have any type of gate check-in. There will be parking attendants whos sole job will be to point people in the right direction and to ensure that the same problem doesn't occur.

With this out of the way and this being the fifth annual bimmerfest, we do not see the same situation happening. Please don't let what happened at this one event affect your decision to attend this year's bimmerfest, we hope that it will well exceed everyone's expectations from previous years.

We hope to see you all there :thumbup:

[bugzy]

that was not the reason

they parked outside the fairgrounds whole time til everyone left completely left

there was no traffic issues after the beginning. i think the PD will hit up Bimmerfest as well.

they sat there near the end of the event when there was no incoming traffic, and continued to give out tickets

[tim330i]

Yes, they were there the entire time because of the traffic backup from the begining.

For whatever reason they showed up at NorCal/SoCal, we have never had an issue with bimmerfest and the Santa Barbara Police or the CHP. Last year we actually had a CHP officer stopping traffic to let the caravan out.

This is the FIFTH year we have had the event in Santa Barbara, why we would have a problem this year is beyond me.

Tim

[330Cihuskylab]

It just doesn't make sense to me. If it was a traffic problem?!!? why would they pull people over? Won't that create more traffic?
If there was a backup, I would imagine a cop be more of a traffic director (directing traffic, keeping the traffic flowing vs. stopping everyone that violated lil offenses like no front plate, tints, exhausts..etc. )

I'm still debating on going.

[bugzy]

It just doesn't make sense to me. If it was a traffic problem?!!? why would they pull people over? Won't that create more traffic?
If there was a backup, I would imagine a cop be more of a traffic director (directing traffic, keeping the traffic flowing vs. stopping everyone that violated lil offenses like no front plate, tints, exhausts..etc. )

I'm still debating on going.

i agree, they should have been helping traffic not giving tickets for front license plates or tinted windows

[kineda]

The officers showed up bright and early at 7:30am. The first officer that rolled in was Officer Garcia. He was there to explain that he was not there to help traffic but issue violation tickets to anyone with illegal modifications. We told him it was a privately organized event and that the owners and attendees are mature and wouldn't be causing any trouble. We also discussed the traffic issue that might occur due to the large caravans coming in at one time.

The officer reiterated that he would have zero issues with traffic. They hold large events there all the time at the SB fairgrounds and it's not uncommon to have traffic backed up on the freeway. He again stated that he was there to issue violation tickets to anyone with illegal modifications. After seeing the number of cars that were at the event, he called for backup.

7:30am folks. He even gave tickets to some of the vendors rollin in before any kind of traffic situation. In fact, they were part of the traffic backup since they slowed down the process of roll-in. They ticketed at the gate and blocked the entrance for other cars. :banghead:

[bimmerguy2006]

I showed up at 11:15 or so and there were already 1 or two officers giving tickets along las positas (black gti was being ticketed, kid was sitting in the back with the hatch open). At this time, there was NO traffic on the freeway, other than the usual slowdown to 50 on that stretch of the 101.

[Jojo@DPE]

i agree with bugzy and kineda. this was not a traffic issue. we were sitting ducks from the beginning of the event to the end of the event. as i was driving in an officer was at the gate and pointing at either my fmic or my missing front license plate. i am going to look into getting a trailer for my car because it is just too risky especially with my engine modifications. if i can't get a trailer, i will attend; however, my car will not be.

[tommiexboi]

seriously .... it was out of the ordinary .... thank god i left early .. but man, what pigs

[D_Ultim8]

Now that the car registration tax has been cancelled, California needs to make up the $$ somehow...by giving us tickets! Damn the Republicans!!!

[King Jason]

Now that the car registration tax has been cancelled, California needs to make up the $$ somehow...by giving us tickets! Damn the Republicans!!!

I can get 2 speeding tickets each year and still come out better then the car tax...

I just don't want to get a tint fix it ticket and have to take my tint off...that would blow.

[Froggie]

Now that the car registration tax has been cancelled, California needs to make up the $$ somehow...by giving us tickets! Damn the Republicans!!!

It's the stupid police of S.B, not the republicans. Your anger is directed at the wrong place.

First they go after Michael Jackson, then the fanatics, what's next? :wowee:

[Stylish_E]

even if the SBPD issued a statement regarding bimmerfest (ie. promising no interference) i wouldn't buy it. how could you trust the moronic scum of the earth... serve and protect my ass.

they're there when you don't need em.
they're never there when you do need em.

[Oggle]

They were just trying to drive us out and sending us the message, "you're not welcome here."

[Chief]

They were just trying to drive us out and sending us the message, "you're not welcome here."


And it sounds like it worked! :thumbdwn:

Chief

[Casanova]

looks like I'll just roll in and out of Bimmerfest 100% road legal with a HUGE bumper sticker saying "PIGS CAN GO TO HELL!!"

[Jon Shafer]

I have an important announcement to make on this!

I just got off of the phone with a very close family friend that is deeply enmeshed
in Santa Barbara City Government, with ties to the City Council, Chief of Police,
and our Mayor.

****Do not, I repeat, do not panic****

We will NOT see a repeat of what happened this past weekend on May 1st.
You can bank on it.

I will pass along more info as things unfold.

The City of Santa Barbara welcomes all Bimmerfest attendees/enthusiasts!

P.S. Please speak up if you see any posts on any other boards (e.g. DTM, Bimmerforums) should you see a post similar to this one. Kindly add in that
Shafe's got the whole thing handled. The 'Fest will go on...

[King Jason]

looks like I'll just roll in and out of Bimmerfest 100% road legal with a HUGE bumper sticker saying "PIGS CAN GO TO HELL!!"
lol, make me a sign too.

[BlueCuban325i]

Damn the Republicans!!!


Hey Tom : piss: :flipoff:

~Your good Republican Friend, Alex :thumbup: