Fargo Police used a drone to document a gathering of more than 100 vehicles on private property over the weekend. The drone captured exhibition driving and property damage before officers arrived and the vehicles scattered.
Officers responded to a call for service around 10:45 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. The drone sent to the scene recorded multiple vehicles performing exhibition driving on private commercial property without the owner’s permission. It also showed tire marks and rubber residue spread across the parking lot. The department’s Real-Time Crime Center monitored the footage. The vehicles dispersed before officers arrived.
The Fargo Police Department said North Dakota law and Fargo city ordinance prohibit exhibition driving in both public and private parking lots. People who take part in unauthorized gatherings on private property may face trespassing charges, and those who return after being trespassed may face criminal trespassing charges.
“While the October 10 gathering is one example of what’s happening here in Fargo, communities across the state face similar challenges,” the department said in a statement. “We have nothing against car meets or people coming together over a shared passion for cars… The problem is when the same illegal activity and destruction of property continues to happen time and time again, without meaningful change or even a willingness to acknowledge that there’s a problem.”
The gathering is the latest flashpoint in an ongoing debate over car meets and street racing in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner has pushed for stiffer penalties for drivers who flee law enforcement, saying those who run currently face little deterrent. Last month, a driver fleeing a street-racing event struck and killed 49-year-old Ian Frye, of Christine.
Some local car enthusiasts have also spoken out against the current car meet culture. They argue that reckless driving and illegal activity tied to large gatherings damage the broader car community and discourage responsible enthusiasts from participating.
The Fargo Police Department said it doesn’t aim to stop people from enjoying their passion for cars. Its goal is to make sure they do so legally and responsibly.
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