OPP: Friday the 13th motorcycle rally in Port Dover a 'relatively peaceful' event

This past Friday OPP say they responded to several reported incidents throughout the day with a majority of them being medical as well as 911 hang up calls and cell phone pocket dials.

Police say Port Dover saw an estimated 200,000 people at the Friday tradition

CBC News Posted: Jul 15, 2018 3:45 PM EDT | Last Updated: July 15, 2018

A motorcyclist tours through downtown Port Dover, Ontario, during the town's Friday the 13th celebrations Friday. (Geoff Robins/Canadian Press)

Ontario Provincial Police saythis past Friday the 13th motorcycle rally in Port Dover was a "relatively peaceful" event.

Numerous rally-goersand spectatorsarrivedin Port Dover early Friday morning with only a few minor incidents, according to police.

Police estimated about200,000 people turned out for theevent that sawmotorcycle enthusiasts converge on Port Dover.

It happens everyFriday the 13th in a tradition that goes back to 1981 when a Port Dover motorcycle shop owner got together with some friends.It's a major source of income for businesses located on the north shore of Lake Erie, about an hour southwest of Hamilton.

Police expecting huge crowds for Port Dover Friday the 13th biker rally

Emergency calls

Police saidthey responded to several reported incidents throughout the day with a majority of them being medical as well as 911 hang up calls andcell phone pocket dials.

#OPP would like to thank all our community partners @NoCoFire, @NorfolkEMS, @NorfolkTour for all their assistance during @Fri13PortDover. Drive safe, ride safe and see you in September 2019. ^es pic.twitter.com/jbfZtvXXcX
—@OPP_WR

"We responded to minor calls for service. This was a well-attended event with no major issues encountered by the OPP," saidInspec. Joseph Varga, Norfolk County OPP, Detachment Commander.

Police said they dealt with several Liquor Licence Act related offences over the course of the evening.

"All in all, for the large number of people attending Port Dover ...the crowds were well behaved," police said ina news release.

Tensions

Prior to the event, OPPremindedattendeesthatthey could be unwittingly supporting organized crime groups by purchasing and wearing gear related to outlaw biker gangs.

Don't support organized crime by buying biker gear in Port Dover: OPP

Itmay put people at risk of being targeted by rival outlaw motorcycle gang members, police added.

Police said the purchase of gang-related gear directly fuels illegal activities such as drug trafficking, violence, intimidation and human trafficking.

Police said tensions between members of the Outlaws and the Hells Angels have been mounting.

With files from the Canadian Press

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OPP: Friday the 13th motorcycle rally in Port Dover a 'relatively peaceful' event

Police say Port Dover saw an estimated 200,000 people at the Friday tradition

Emergency calls

Tensions

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