Illegal street takeovers might be labeled as harmless fun by some people, but the truth is they’re far from harmless. Not only do they inconvenience people who are trying to drive through the city, takeovers have in the past delayed emergency vehicles responding to genuine emergencies and have involved plenty of crimes, including homicides. Now one of the organizers of a street takeover held in Nashville earlier this year has been charged with felony vandalism.
Street takeovers are dumb and dangerous. Find out why.
According to a release from the police department, the takeover event that 25-year-old Austin Scott helped organize caused over $100,000 in damages to city infrastructure. For those who don’t realize this, and we can’t believe we have to clarify this, it’s taxpayers who get to cover those expenses, so it’s not some victimless crime.
Police say Soctt was booked into jail on a $35,000 bond and was able to bond out two days later. This isn’t the guy’s first time in the slammer. Back in August he got hit with a whopping 15 criminal charges that included rioting, inciting a riot, and reckless driving. We imagine if convicted of even a fraction of those he’ll be paying a pretty hefty fine plus be facing other consequences.
The official release from Nashville police says Scott is a suspected lead organizer for the Night Riderz, a group which coordinates popup street takeover events in the area. These groups usually advertise through private social media posts when and where to meet, resulting in hundreds or even thousands descending on an intersection to shut it down for donuts, burnouts, and drifting.
If Scott is successfully prosecuted for over $100,000 in vandalism this could help give other cities a path forward in effectively fighting street takeover events as well as act as a huge financial deterrent from anyone looking to organize them.
Image via Metropolitan Nashville Police Department
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