WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A joint police enforcement detail over the weekend targeted an unsanctioned car meet at a shopping center, a state police public information officer confirmed.
Troopers from PSP’s Troop M barracks joined members of Whitehall Township Police Department on Saturday, Sept. 21, for enforcement along MacArthur Road, Trooper Nathan Branosky said Tuesday.
Police specifically targeted an unsanctioned car meet between 7-11 p.m. in the MacArthur Commons shopping center, 2701 MacArthur Road, Branosky said.
“This has been an ongoing issue of unsanctioned car meets where loud music is played [with a] large gathering of people."State Police Trooper Nathan Branosky
During the meet, 150-200 vehicles assembled in the lot, along with a large gathering of spectators.
“This has been an ongoing issue of unsanctioned car meets where loud music is played [with a] large gathering of people,” Branosky said.
“As a result of investigating that this may occur, Whitehall Township Police requested PSP to assist in traffic enforcement along MacArthur Road and the State Route 22 corridor.”
As a result of the enforcement detail, troopers and officers issued a total of 23 traffic citations and 33 warnings. The citations included speeding violations, inspection violations, equipment violations and other summary offenses.
“Although we cannot report all the citations [and] warnings issued were a result of the car meet, we can confidently state the overwhelming majority of citations/warnings issued were a result of the unsanctioned car meet,” Branosky said.
Illegal meetups brought chaos to Philly
The enforcement came the same weekend Philadelphia police responded to at least 11 illegal car meetups in the city, where hundreds of vehicles took over intersections and set off fireworks, according to published reports.
Those meetups happened from about 9:30 p.m. Saturday until 4:30 a.m. Sunday in neighborhoods across the city, police said.
"This behavior will not be tolerated.”Philadelphia Police Department Deputy Commissioner Francis Healy said in a news conference
"This behavior will not be tolerated,” Philadelphia Police Department Deputy Commissioner Francis Healy said in a news conference, according to CBS News.
Healy warned drivers involved in the meetups that police have their photos.
"If you think you got away… you didn't," he said. "So when you hear that banging on the door, it will be us. We're coming with search warrants and we're coming with arrest warrants."
The meetups included drifting and drag racing, and officers reportedly were attacked and a police car was damaged.
The massive Philly car meetup was dubbed ‘Project X’ online. One driver described the mayhem of the night to Philadelphia Inquirer’s @EllieRushing: https://t.co/Lw9ovl5jlz via @phillyinquirer
— Joseph N. DiStefano (@PhillyJoeD) September 24, 2024
The Inquirer reported one of the larger meetups was dubbed 'Project X' online.
Videos from that incident showed police officers being surrounded and attacked in their cars.
Branosky said troopers are familiar with the illegal meet ups in Philadelphia over the weekend.
"As of now, we are unsure if these meetups are connected," he said.
In a release, police warned motorists of the mandates of Title 75 Section 3733, fleeing or attempting to elude police.
The law stipulates any driver who "willfully fails or refuses to bring their vehicle to a stop or otherwise flees or attempts to elude a pursuing police officer" commits an offense graded up to a felony of the third degree.
It carries a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison, a $15,000 fine and restitution for damages and/or injuries sustained as a result of the pursuit.
