Brampton is introducing new fines, ranging from $800 to $2,000, to help police and bylaw enforcement crack down on the rising number of car rallies and parking lot takeovers in the city. These gatherings, which have become a growing concern, are often accompanied by dangerous driving and public nuisances.
Proposed updates to Brampton’s bylaws, which will be presented to City Council this week, introduce three new fines under the city’s administrative penalties bylaw. These penalties target “public nuisance” activities involving motor vehicles, such as gathering, rallying, or racing, and causing damage to city or regional property.
The public nuisance fines start at $800 for the first offence, increasing to $1,000 for a second violation, and $1,500 for each subsequent offence. Rallying and property damage offences will carry fines of up to $2,000.
The move comes in response to a rise in car rallies, with Peel Regional Police responding to 21 such events in Brampton between May 29 and June 24. Over 20,000 traffic charges were issued in both Brampton and Mississauga in the first half of 2024 due to street racing and rowdy motorists.
Some rallies have involved participants using fireworks and gasoline to encourage unruly behavior, according to a Peel Regional Police report. Officials believe the increase in these events in Brampton is the result of stricter enforcement in Vaughan, pushing the activities into nearby areas.
A comparison report presented to council last week shows that Brampton’s Nuisance Bylaw 136-2018 allows for a maximum fine of $100,000, significantly higher than Vaughan’s Special Events Bylaw, which caps fines at $10,000. The proposed changes will update Brampton’s bylaw to specifically target the “unauthorized or illegal operation” of motor vehicles and the gathering or rallying of cars.
For years, police have been dealing with dangerous car rallies in both Brampton and Mississauga, and recent enforcement efforts saw 530 charges laid at a Mississauga plaza alone.
The bylaw amendments will be presented to Brampton City Council for approval on Wednesday.