Police Respond as Unsanctioned Car Rallies Come to Town

Ed. Note: A previous version of this article suggested that the unsanctioned H2oi rally was connected to Wildwood’s annual Fall Classic Car Show. The two events are unrelated.
WILDWOOD – An unsanctioned car event came to town to hold a so-called “pop-up rally” Sept. 23 and 24.
The rallies are part of an event known as H2oi. When the same pop-up event previously came to Ocean City, Maryland, police there had to deal with speeding cars, crowds and crashes, NJ.com reported.
The unsanctioned event took place the same weekend as the unrelated Fall Classic Car Show, held at the Wildwoods Convention Center Sept. 23 and 24.
Police in North Wildwood and Middle Township also responded to the unsanctioned H2oi rally Sept. 24.
John Stevenson, Chief of Police for North Wildwood put out a statement announcing enforcement measures. The North Wildwood Police Department (NWPD) worked with local businesses to enforce loitering and trespassing rules in parking lots on private property.
NWPD is already busy providing security for the city’s annual Irish Weekend. They say they brought in the county Sheriff’s Office to help with enforcement. Stevenson said they’ve gone so far as to prepare a booking team staffed by county correctional officers.
The Wildwood Police Department put out a statement the afternoon of Sept. 24 warning the public to avoid Pacific, Atlantic and Ocean Avenues due to congestion. They cited the “unsanctioned H2Oi event.”
Though it appeared that much of the congestion was on the island, Middle Township police put out a statement the morning of Sept. 24 advising against gatherings in the parking lots of businesses in Rio Grande.
Middle Township police cited “numerous social media posts” in their warning about the “unsanctioned assemblies.” They said their Major Crimes unit would review social media posts to investigate motor vehicle violations at an evening pop-up rally in the Lowe’s parking lot Sept. 23.
A Facebook group titled Wildwood H2oi 2022 had numerous posts with car owners organizing meet-up times and locations.
It was not immediately clear if police had arrested anyone in connection with the H2Oi rallies.
This is a developing story, and more information will be added as it is obtained.