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Hamtramck Police Issue Nearly 100 Parking Tickets To 'Slow Roll' Bike Riders

HAMTRAMCK (WWJ) - Hamtramck Police are not too happy with a "Slow Roll" biking event that brought thousands of riders to the city, many of whom parked their vehicles on sidewalks and blocking driveways, handicap spots and bus stops.

Last Monday, the event drew about 6,000 bikers to the border between Hamtramck and Detroit, bringing traffic to a stand still and making it "virtually impossible" to drive down city streets, according to police.

The Detroit Police Department had a full squad of officers, patrol cars and motorcycles managing the Slow Roll traffic, but officials in Hamtramck say their city was not included in any advance planning for the event. As a result, the city was not prepared to handle the overwhelming amount of traffic and riders looking for parking spots.

Vehicles were left all over the place, according to police, and "a great majority" were parked illegally.

"Officers from Hamtramck began to write parking violations to vehicles that were illegally parked," police said in a statement. "This was before the Slow Roll started and in full view of all of the people. They chose to ride off instead of moving their illegally parked vehicles. This being said, we issued nearly 100 parking violations."

Warren resident Ben Bergen was among those who received a $20 ticket.

"It's frustrating to know that we're coming down there trying to support the city, many people come down for lunch and dinner prior to the ride and support the business down there -- and then this happens," he said.

Hamtramck police justified issuing the tickets, saying it's not right for the event organizers to "just assume it is OK for DPD to take over our streets without even notifying us."

Calls to Slow Roll organizers for comment were not immediately returned.

Hamtramck Mayor Karen Majewski hopes the situation doesn't keep people from visiting the city.

"I realize this may not answer all of the questions for folks who got parking tickets or had their vehicles broken into, but it's most important to realize that Slow Roll organizers did not notify the City of Hamtramck or the HPD of the event ahead of time," she said in a statement. "We're proud of our city and its bars, restaurants, and small shops, and we want everyone to have a good time and feel welcome when they come here."

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