We’ve been watching with interest as states, counties, and municipalities have been increasingly cracking down on street takeovers. While the movement against these illegal gatherings certainly isn’t uniform, we were shocked to hear even the city of Portland, Oregon has gotten in on it, seizing a Camaro Batmobile and other cars in the process.
Running from cops, a BMW 6 Series wrecks out big.
According to multiple reports, Portland Police Bureau dropped the hammer on the night of August 3 into the early morning hours of August 4. Several street takeover/racing events promoted through social media drew crowds, but authorities were ready and waiting to make some busts and break up the party.
Per KOIN, the takeover crowd tried to shut down at least six intersections in the city, with police making over 100 traffic stops and arresting “dozens.” Portland Tribune reports at least 10 cars were towed away by authorities in the crackdown.
It sounds like police were kept busy by takeovers popping up in different intersections and even one suspect who allegedly fired a firework at police. That might not sound like a big deal, but the more potent fireworks used at takeover shows are powerful enough to do damage if they explode near someone.
While police in Portland cited drivers for a myriad of offenses, many were for lack of registration/insurance and outstanding warrants. We understand they’re having to work with the state’s laws as they’re currently written.
In other states like Florida and Ohio, new laws targeting street takeovers and racing arm police with additional tools. Hopefully as those states show success in stamping out the problem, other state’s lawmakers will adopt similar bills which also are signed into law, giving police as well as prosecutors the teeth they need to stop the wave of takeovers sweeping the nation.
Image via KOIN 6/YouTube
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