Car Meet-Ups Continue To Be A Problem In Woodbridge, Police Director Says

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Illegal car meet-ups continue to be a problem in Woodbridge, Police Director Joseph Nisky said at the most recent Council meeting, held Tuesday night, May 5.

"Illegal car meets pose a significant public safety concern," said the police director.

This most recently happened in Woodbridge on March 21 of this year, when an illegal car meet-up took place in the parking lot and parking decks on Rt. 9 at Quality Way. Woodbridge Police found out about it through multiple social media posts.

When police officers got there, there were approximately 107 cars gathered. Despite being instructed to disperse, people refused to leave and disregarded officers' commands to clear the area, said Nisky.

Woodbridge Police issued a whopping 267 summonses that night to drivers who refused to leave.

That was an unofficial, unsanctioned car meet-up. However, organizers are now trying to host sanctioned, permitted car meet-ups in Woodbridge, Nisky revealed.

More recently, street racing influencers on social media were trying to get the new owners of Woodbridge Center Mall to approve a large-scale car meet-up that would be held in the empty mall parking lots.

Hundreds of cars were anticipated to be there, said Police Director Nisky.

Organizers were trying to get the owners of the mall to approve the meet-up.

"Due to the nature of the event and the potential for unsafe conditions, the owners of the mall decided not to let the gathering take place," Nisky said Tuesday night.

And even more recently, a man who has "a significant online following in car-meet culture," wanted to host a car meet 'n greet at an unnamed restaurant in Woodbridge. Nisky said his police department is monitoring that.

Hear Nisky talk about this at minute 25:00 of Tuesday night's meeting: