The X-Train Is Back in Kalamazoo

A Shell station owner at the intersection of West Michigan Avenue and Westnedge Avenue said between 400 and 500 people gathered near his business this past weekend, with roughly 150 vehicles spreading across nearby parking lots and blocking the intersection, according to a report from News Channel 3.

The gatherings, known locally as X-trains, are seasonal mobile nuisance parties that return each summer to Kalamazoo streets.

A Decade-Long Problem for Local Businesses

The Shell station owner, who has operated the family business for several decades, told WWMT he has watched these gatherings move through the same intersection since the 1990s. He declined to be identified by name or appear on camera.

"Friday and Saturday nights follow a pattern during the summer. Gatherings begin as early as 9 p.m., peak around 1 to 2 a.m., and last until at least 4 a.m.," the owner said, according to the WWMT report.

The business operates around the clock, but front doors lock at 11 p.m. with service continuing through a window to avoid confrontations, the owner said.

Police Recommend Turning Off the Lights

The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) has advised the station owner to shut off all exterior lights when a gathering forms, a strategy intended to discourage crowds from lingering, according to WWMT.

The owner said police respond quickly when called but are routinely outnumbered. He said crowds typically disperse when lights go dark and officers arrive, though they often cycle back later.

New Ordinance Gives Police More Power

Participation in mobile nuisance parties has been illegal under Kalamazoo city ordinance since 2019. In spring 2025, the Kalamazoo City Commission passed a stronger ordinance giving KDPS expanded authority to tow vehicles on the spot without a court order, according to WWMT.

The ordinance also allows police to track license plates and pursue repeat offenders after an event ends.

"If you're out and about in the MNP, your vehicle is going to be towed," KDPS Sgt. Andy Werkema said in a video shared on social media, according to WWMT reporting from March 2026.

Drivers who participate face a $500 fine or up to 90 days in jail, police said.

Warning Letters Showing Results

KDPS has reported measurable results from the new enforcement approach. According to data provided to FOX 17:

  • 267 vehicles identified for taking part in mobile nuisance parties over one month
  • 139 warning letters issued
  • 81 letters delivered in person
  • 58 letters sent by mail
  • 1 vehicle impounded

The impounded vehicle had received two prior warning letters for multiple incidents, Werkema said.

"The registered owner, we don't believe was the one actually driving the vehicle, but she allowed somebody else to use it, which led to her vehicle being towed," Werkema said, according to WWMT.

Residents Say Things Are Improving

David Shears, a resident who lives off Elizabeth Street in Kalamazoo, told FOX 17 he sees fewer gatherings than he did a year ago.

"Not as much as about a year ago, we're getting lesser and lesser. I think things are getting better in our neighborhood," Shears said.

Milton Jackson, another resident, added:

"I can actually bring my kids outside now, you know what I'm saying?"

KDPS Has Not Commented on This Weekend's Gathering

News Channel 3 reached out to KDPS on Monday asking whether any gatherings this past weekend were officially documented as mobile nuisance parties and whether enhanced enforcement protocols are planned for the summer season. KDPS had not responded at press time.

The Shell station owner said he supports KDPS's stronger enforcement efforts, particularly the department's data collection used to issue warnings and pursue impoundment. However, he expressed concern that many participants may not care about the consequences.

He estimated that most attendees are under 21, and said he believes many could be under 18.