Police expecting huge crowds for Port Dover Friday the 13th biker rally
Provincial police say they're expecting a large turnout today for Friday the 13th in Port Dover.
Police say to keep things orderly in the community on Lake Erie, some streets will be changed to one-way and traffic barricades will be put up in some areas.
Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts converge on Port Dover each Friday the 13th in a tradition that goes back to 1981 when a Port Dover motorcycle shop owner got together with some friends.
The events have drawn in excess of 100-thousand people in recent years and are a major source of income for Port Dover businesses.
Provincial police are also reminding people planning to attend the event that they could be unwittingly supporting organized crime groups by purchasing and wearing gear related to outlaw biker gangs.
They say the purchase of gang gear directly fuels illegal activities such as drug trafficking, violence, intimidation and human trafficking.
The O-P-P also says tensions between members of the Outlaws and the Hells Angels have been mounting.
And they say wearing any recognized gang-related clothing or paraphernalia may put people at risk of being targeted by rival outlaw motorcycle gang members.
