Lincoln Police crack down, but Memorial Day weekend cruises continue on O Street

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Despite a considerable police presence on O Street on Friday night, people continued the tradition of cruising on Memorial Day weekend.

The action revved up about 7 p.m., and crowds soon gathered to watch the cars.

Officers pulled over at least four drivers.

By 9:30 p.m., police were using loudspeakers to tell people to leave private parking lots.

They complied, but they continued watching from public sidewalks.

After tragedy struck following a cruise in 2022, leaving two people dead and many more injured, safety is being taken extremely seriously.

This weekend, the Lincoln Police Department is being proactive.

There will be marked and unmarked police vehicles patrolling every night.

A helicopter will also be watching from above.

Noah Roth was on O Street on Friday night. He doesn’t think the increased enforcement detail will stop the cruising.

“It might deter more inexperienced drivers like high schoolers,” he said. “More experienced drivers, probably not so much. They’ll probably see them and slow down when they need to, but it won’t stop people from coming out.”

Friday afternoon, city employees set up a new surveillance camera system at 52nd and O streets to help monitor traffic.

But it’s not just drivers that officials are keeping an eye on; it’s also the crowds.

Officers are working with businesses along O Street to prevent trespassing.

LPD is barricading off certain parking lots to keep large crowds from gathering to watch cruises.

Eason Hurlbut said this is only the second year he’s gone to watch the cruises.

“I like seeing cool cars; I don’t like seeing car wrecks,” he said. “I really hope people don’t drive like idiots.”

Hurlbut said he appreciates the extra enforcement.

“I mean, I don’t mind burnouts, but they’re not going to go 110 down O Street and cause an accident where multiple people die,” he said.

Roth said he understands why the police presence is necessary, but he doesn’t think this is the best way to handle the situation.

“It’s definitely a tradition people should be able to enjoy, but it would be a lot better if we had a dedicated place that people could go to and enjoy and show off what they have in a more quiet area,” he said.