The annual classic car event organizers unable to meet the city of Port Orchard’s safety requirements
PORT ORCHARD, WA – The city has been informed that the Saints Car Club annual event ‘The Cruz’ that has been hosted annually on the downtown waterfront has been cancelled. The event organizers state that they cannot meet the city’s safety requirements related to the road closure. The event holder’s request is to allow cars to leave freely throughout the event, while thousands of pedestrians are on the streets.
As our neighbors in Gig Harbor experienced in 2024, as well as other incidents nationally have demonstrated that combining moving vehicles and pedestrian traffic presents serious public safety concerns that can result in injury if not adequately addressed.
Conversations with the city’s insurance provider have affirmed the city’s concerns are valid, that vehicle and pedestrian interactions need to be avoided during public events.
Solutions have been offered by the city during multiple meetings with the event holder to mitigate these risks but unfortunately a satisfactory resolution to these safety concerns could not be reached.
While the City is saddened by the loss of this fabulous event it is our paramount duty to protect and provide for the safety of our community.
It is the hope of City leadership to have additional conversations with the event organizers with the goal of continuing to host this popular annual event in Port Orchard.
Port Orchard Mayor Rob Putaansuu: ‘This is a very unfortunate outcome. However, the City’s paramount duty is to provide for the safety of our residents and visitors. Allowing potentially unsafe conditions during public events is not a risk the taxpayers of Port Orchard and visitors should be asked to accept.’