In Oct. 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill prohibiting bans on lowrider cars and anti-cruising ordinances. This law went into effect Jan. 1, 2024 in California.
Lowriders, customized cars with lowered suspension often used for cruising, are strongly connected to Mexican American culture in East LA. In the 1980’s, cruising was banned in some California cities because of claims that the activity was linked to gang violence. The new law means that cars can go as low and slow as people want.
Highland Park has been home to LA Cruise Nights, hosting a parade of lowriders cruising down York Boulevard, playing music from their speakers as street vendors sold food and shirts to participants.
The most recent Cruise Night on York Boulevard was May 20, 2023, before the law was passed. Some tensions arose between the lowriding community and the LAPD as the police department had put up “No Stopping” signs in the days prior to the event. These signs mean that stopping was not allowed even if the driver was in the car with the engine running. The Cruise Night still had a large turnout, despite the presence of LAPD vehicles along the street.
Officer Hainer Hernandez, the senior lead officer for Eagle Rock, said that the new law means that the police cannot cite for violations concerning cruising anymore, but that the police will still monitor cruising events for safety concerns.
“It’s hard for officers and paramedics to get through the cruising because it causes congestion,” Hernandez said.
According to Hernandez, cruising increases during the warmer months, and the new law could mean an increase in lowrider events.
“The new law is going to allow individuals to show off their cars, which is not necessarily a bad thing,” Hernandez said. “We have no issue with people congregating peacefully, we just have to be there because it can be unsafe in certain ways.”
Nelson Hernandez, owner of Uneek Car Alarms and Stereos on York Blvd and a self-described car fanatic, said he goes to every Highland Park Cruise night. Nelson Hernandez owns a 1962 Chevrolet Impala convertible that he bought in the early 2000’s and spent years fixing.
Nelson Hernandez said he has been into cars since he was about 15 and that cruising is an activity he does with his family. An activity like lowriding should not be restricted, Nelson Hernandez said.
“To me, it’s ridiculous. It’s cruising with your family, to enjoy your car, show your car off,” Nelson Hernandez said. “It’s part of history too, since the ‘40s.”
After World War II, car culture developed in the Mexican-American community as veterans used their earnings to modify their cars to be “low and slow.” The Chicano Movement of the 1970’s made cruising an important community activity where people could gather in car clubs. Lowriding continues to be a popular pastime to this day as people have historical ties to the cars and the culture.
Jessica Perales and Eddie Perales were born and raised in Highland Park. Jessica Perales said that she was introduced to classic cars by her uncles growing up. Eddie Perales said he got into customizing cars because you could incorporate parts from different cars, which was more in his budget when he was younger.
Eddie Perales said he has a 1936 Chevy Master Deluxe while Jessica Perales has a 1937 Chevy pick-up truck.
“I really liked the lowrider — the paint jobs, all the chrome, the way the hydraulics were, the way everybody would just look at you when you’re going down the street,” Eddie Perales said.
Currently Eddie Perales is part of a car club called Curb Creatures.
“Car clubs, they all have different rules,” Jessica Perales said. “Some car clubs want you to have all original parts, all original look. This car club is more family-oriented. We have kids and we get together to barbecue and things like that.”
Eddie Perales said that once you are in the car scene, it’s easy to find car shows and cruising nights posted on social media.
‘It’s like a very tight knit family and if you don’t know anybody, they’re very approachable,” Eddie Perales said.
Jessica Perales said she has served as a deputy sheriff for LA County for the last 18 years. She said the new law allows people to go out and show off their cars without committing a crime.
“We have to be smart when we’re cruising,” Jessica Perales said. “With hydraulics, if you’re bouncing down the streets and something comes off and a tire goes flying, I can see the danger in that, but that’s not what cruising is for.”
According to Jessica Perales, there are specific car shows for hopping, but cruising is mainly for driving slow, playing music and showing people your car.
“It’s nicer to know that we can go out and not fear that we’re going to get in trouble,” Jessica Perales said.
Jessica Perales said that her entire career she has considered both the letter of the law and the spirit of the law.
“As long as you’re respectful of the community and the people that are around, we have no problem with you getting together,” Jessica Perales said.
Contact Ava LaLonde at lalonde@oxy.edu
