After the first lowrider cruise night was held in National City on May 6 following a 30-year-ban, the city of National City and National City Police Departments are proposing the event sponsor now foot a nearly $8,000 tab for each of its upcoming events.
On April 5, National City approved a temporary use permit (TUP) for the United Lowriders Coalition to host six Cruise Nights on Highland Avenue, as a trial after the city repealed its cruising ban late last year.
The original permit was approved with the United Lowriders Coalition required to pay a nominal fee of a few hundred dollars to process the TUP with the city.
The National City Police Department provided the United Lowriders Coalition with a letter outlining several issues they say were encountered or observed during the event. Some of the issues addressed include "extraordinary traffic congestion," a lack of "event related traffic signage and a need for dedicated police resources specific to the event."
The letter also stated that the estimated number of participants was "severely under estimated" compared to the actual number of vehicles, participants and spectators in attendance.
The National City Police Department said it believes six officers and one sergeant are required on an overtime basis for seven hours the day of each event, a cost of more than $7,800 per cruise night in police services.
The six assigned officers would be paid $152.33 per hour, and the sergeant would earn $202.21 per hour.
“The agreement the city made with the United Lowrider Coalition in December 2021 did not have a financial cost to the Coalition, other than the $472 permit application and insurance, wrote National City Councilmember Jose Rodriguez, when asked about the increased cost.
Rodriguez adding in an emailed statement, "we need to keep our word as a city and not charge the United Lowrider Coalition the proposed $8,000 fee for every cruise."
An organizer with the United Lowriders Coalition said that if the city council amends the TUP at its upcoming meeting to include the proposed increased fees, they will not be able to continue cruise night because they won't be able to afford the costs.
I call bullshit, this is what the police are already paid to do, and so is the city, and trying to charge any group MORE for the police to do their job, while on shift? Is nonsense, fraud, or graft. Take your pick, no, I'm not interested in reading any opinion that differs from mine, or I'd look at your blog that runs an article on the lowrider cruise in National City.
What? You don't have one? Well, there you are, you don't believe in your view of this event enough to report on it and take a stand, so, why should I want to read your critique of mine if I'm not able to critique yours?
