Sunday, April 24, 2011
By Randy Tucker
Dayton Daily News
DAYTON
Fans of American sedans modified with oversized wheels are crying foul over recent developments in Cincinnati, where police are impounding so-called “donks” for being unsafe for the road.
The issue carries implications of racial profiling of the predominantly black urban youth who drive donks, and it poses financial consequences for local dealers who view the police action as a threat to the estimated $40 billion aftermarket-parts industry.
“This could really screw up our business,” said David Davison, general manager of Fatt Boyz custom wheel shop in Moraine and proud owner of his own donk, a 1972 Buick Riviera with 22-inch rims.
“I know some dealers in Cincinnati who want to return all of their inventory [of oversized wheels] to the manufacturer because they think they’ll get stuck with it because of this.”
Larry Williams of Dayton said he’s concerned that Cincinnati’s donk crackdown — authorized under state law and city ordinances that allow police to impound unsafe vehicles — is more about the drivers than their cars.
“It’s just profiling; straight stereotyping,” said the 26-year-old Williams, who earlier this week had 24-inch wheels installed on his Dodge Charger at Fatt Boyz.
“Will they [Cincinnati police] pull over a guy driving a new Camaro? No. They come with 20-inch rims, too.”
Williams, who is black, said he and many of his friends frequently drive their donks to Cincinnati to visit friends and relatives and to attend regional events, such as Macy’s Music Festival and the Black Family Reunion.
“What are they [police] going to do then when we all come rolling into town?” he asked.
Cincinnati police say their “increase in enforcement” is tied mainly to the growing number of vehicles “over-modified” by amateurs and not directed at cars with factory-installed equipment.
“This issue with the ‘Big Wheel’ cars is simply a matter of safety,” a message from the police department’s traffic unit reads. “At the present time and for many, many years, law enforcement has made a diligent effort in reducing auto accidents involving unsafe vehicles.”