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* True…
Pro reporting tip: Always ask, is this just a thing in our city, or is it happening elsewhere, too? https://t.co/WWRRC9qe1E
— Beachwood Reporter (@BeachwoodReport) September 7, 2022
That’s not to imply the illegal activity isn’t a problem in Chicago, mind you. It just means that it’s not a purely local phenomenon.
* From the linked New York Times story…
There has been a drastic surge during the pandemic of these drivers meeting up and blocking traffic for these raucous street parties, prompting new legislation and crackdowns from law enforcement across the country.
In June, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida signed a new law targeting illegal stunt-driving events in the state. That measure, increasing fines and threatening arrests, followed similar moves in the past year by Arizona, California, Georgia, Mississippi and Texas to curtail dangerous driving antics.
Gov. Gavin Newsom of California signed a law in October threatening a six-month suspension of a driver’s license for participating in a sideshow, even as a spectator. Two months later, Oakland’s current mayor, Libby Schaaf, pointed to “reckless driving and gunfire brought on by sideshow activity” as contributing to the city’s high number of homicides. There were 134 murders in Oakland in 2021, the highest in a year since 2006. […]
Since the emergence of sideshows in Oakland in the late 1980s, successive mayors have railed against them. In 2005, after eight people died in sideshows over a year, former Gov. Jerry Brown, then mayor of Oakland, called for action. But sideshows continued. In 2009, following three sideshow-related deaths, the Mayor Ron Dellums made a plea for change — to no effect.
* I asked my associate Isabel Miller to compile some other news stories about the topic…
* How a racetrack could help curb illegal activity in Detroit
* A year after enacting an emergency ordinance aimed at cracking down on street racing and takeovers, Portland still struggles to contain illegal activities
* Pair of deaths tied to Portland street racing highlight violent pandemic trend
* Louisville police plan to put more officers on the road and in the sky to patrol for street racing
* Two charged after 6-year-old killed in street race crash face Gaston County judge
* Birmingham city leaders push for tougher laws against illegal street driving
* Spectator killed after hit during illegal street racing side show in Kansas City
* Street-racing cars in Des Moines crash into vehicles and homes, displace one family
* Chandler, Arizona police searching for driver involved in deadly street-racing incident
* This LA neighborhood is considered ‘ground zero’ for illegal street racing
* Caught street racing? Your vehicle may be crushed, Memphis mayor says
* Six arrested in Salt Lake City street racing operation
* 9 charged in Minneapolis street racing bust
* Baltimore leaders move forward with efforts to stop illegal street racing
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 8:49 am
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Well, if it was good enough for Bruce Springsteen, it’s OK with me…
Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 8:54 am
Back when I used to stay overnight in downtown Chicago I remember the high pitched squeal of street racers in the early morning hours.
Comment by Downstate Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 8:57 am
The long wake left behind by the Fast and Furious movies /s
Comment by ChicagoVinny Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 9:18 am
Out here in the far west suburbs, my wife was out late recently and was almost run off the road by some street racers on some back roads. There were around 40 of them total.
This is not just a Chicago problem.
Comment by Techie Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 9:51 am
Arrest the drivers and confiscate the vehicles, you pay to play and it is time to greatly increase the cost of this stupid play.
Comment by former southerner Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 9:59 am
how exactly is this fact relevant to solving the issue?
Comment by Needs Deleted Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 10:04 am
===how exactly is this fact relevant to solving the issue? ===
Because maybe some other state or city has a decent solution?
Seriously, getting upset because one of your grumpy talking points is slightly undermined says more about you than you might think. Go take a nap.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 10:18 am
===Because maybe some other state or city has a decent solution?===
Quite so. Context and perspective matters.
I appreciate Rich and Isabel highlighting pushback to the “Hate on Chicago/Illinois Industrial Complex” which includes various media outlets and commentators, electoral politics actors masquerading as non-partisan good government groups, and various civic and elected figures.
It’s not that criticism and bringing problems to attention is wrong, it’s just the too often breathless quality and misleading portrayals that we in the Land of Lincoln are always anomalous that’s a disservice to public understanding of complex issues.
Comment by Moe Berg Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 10:31 am
Mad Max 2022…incipient.
Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 10:37 am
Also lets please not forget the motorcycles that come through downtown, 100-200 deep, reving up , driving on the sidewalk and going against red lights. They are very dangerous as well.
Comment by low level Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 10:37 am
Smells like mayhem.
Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 10:52 am
I read Cpd going to go after offenders after viewing video of those involved. Perhaps if the penalties stick and the financial pain is enough these events may slow down. The fact that these people attack the police upon arrival is unacceptable and an ugly clash is inevitable.
Comment by Regular democrat Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 11:13 am
If you ask the Chicago Tribune, all crime originates in Chicago. Little known fact, Kain and Abel were actually Chicago natives; as per Kristen McQueary.
Comment by Commissar Gritty Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 11:34 am
Also here for Rich telling folks to go take naps.
Comment by Commissar Gritty Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 11:36 am
Arizona has been dealing with this problem for well over a year. They have yet to get a handle on this as the groups seem to have the timing down pat. They break up just before the police arrive. They are able to retrieve video of the event from one of the many cameras around but not much further is done. Actually Chicago seems to be handling better with the number of car impounds being done here. The 50s had drag racing and we now have this.
Comment by illinifan Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 11:42 am
“Bite me” would have sufficed Rich.
Comment by Lake Springfield Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 11:46 am
==“Bite me” would have sufficed Rich.==
Sounds civil and very mature /s
Comment by Dave C Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 1:16 pm
“Arrest driver; impound vehicle.” — SCMODS screen from ‘The Blues Brothers. And upon conviction seize the vehicle, revoke the driver’s license, fine them heavily. Subsequent offenses get jail time and higher fines, with seizure of any other vehicle used by the convicted driver. Plus get the organizers for conspiracy to commit multiple traffic offenses and disorderly conduct by alarming or disturbing others, and causing a breach of the peace on the streets. But we have a non-prosecutor working in the CCSAO, which may mean nothing is done. Time to stop playing with these Speed Racer types and their fans.
Comment by thisjustinagain Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 1:16 pm
Laughing at Friendly Bob Adams comment. Well done. At Beneficial your good for more!
Comment by Jerry Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 2:02 pm
Police have been turning their head to this stuff for a while and now it’s become an out of control problem…
Maybe it’s time to pick up on police enforcement and hit them hard.
Comment by The Dude Friday, Sep 9, 22 @ 5:14 am