Los Angeles Still Struggling to Stop Street Takeovers – NBC Los Angeles

The number of reports of illegal street racing and intersection takeovers, also known as side shows, increased in Los Angeles in the first months of 2024, according to new LAPD data, and authorities said they were still struggling to find an effective solution to prevent them. .

More than 176 street races were reported between January and March, an increase of almost 50% compared to the same period in 2023, and the number of takeovers increased by 2% to 190, although the Officials warned that the figures were incomplete and likely low, due to data collection. upgrade underway at LAPD.

“It’s been pretty frustrating dealing with all these takeovers on the street,” said Michael Kirchmann, Jr., who lives near where a takeover took place on Century Blvd. and Hoover St. on Sunday, June 9, which led to a break-in and burglary at an auto parts store.

He said he called city officials to urge them to take action, and said that when he called police, it could take an hour for officers to arrive.

“I find it interesting that this is happening all over the city,” he said, “and yet there is no concerted effort between the LAPD and the city council office or the mayor to determine what What can we do to stop this?”

“It’s bad enough in South Los Angeles,” he said.

The LAPD has street racing task forces operating in different parts of the city, and according to their data, officers have been making arrests and issuing more citations.

But the department said in its report on street takeovers prepared for the Los Angeles City Council – that there are few existing laws providing penalties or consequences serious enough to deter participation, although several local proposals and states would increase sanctions.

“The lack of deterrence and accountability to recognize the seriousness of these malicious and reckless gatherings only encourages the culture of street takeover through the use of social media,” the LAPD said.

Last week, an alleged participant in auto parts theft was arrested after a car chase and charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office with several felonies, including one count of organized retail theft.

As the I-Team reported last year, city officials said physical barriers or other obstacles intended to deter street takeovers were largely ineffective: Some devices did not prevent drivers to turn their cars at intersections, and other devices simply required participants to move a block away. .