The city of Pico Rivera, just southeast of Los Angeles, California just proposed what could become one of the strictest punishments in the country for those convicted of taking part in street takeovers. That penalty could entail losing one’s vehicle for life. It’s only the latest in a series of aggressive measures officials are taking to curtail the safety concern.
The city council of Pico Rivera had a meeting Tuesday, May 10th, where it tentatively approved the new ordinance. If passed it would allow authorities to seize cars of those who participate in street racing or street takeovers in Pico Rivera. It also makes participation or even just attendance a misdemeanor.
“This proposed ordinance and enforcement options will provide the City with additional tools to address the issue of illegal street takeovers, deter such activities, and ensure that the roadways in Pico Rivera remain safe for everyone,” Councilman John Garcia said in a statement, per the Whittier Daily News.
More: San Francisco Police Seize 2 Corvettes And A Mustang Involved In Sideshow Shenanigans
“By taking action, we are sending a strong message that illegal street takeovers will not be tolerated in Pico Rivera and that the safety and well-being of its residents and visitors are paramount to the City Council.” The ordinance will come up again for a final vote at a future meeting though the time and date of that meeting has not been set. According to City Manager Steve Carmona, it could be up to 30 days.
This move is one of the strictest in the nation and that’s saying something. Florida police recently made the news for taking participants to jail instead of simply citing them and letting them go. This week, cops in San Francisco impounded a Ford Mustang and two Chevrolet Corvettes for a month and will force the owners to pay storage fees to get them back out.
It’s no secret that the popularity of such sideshows is growing across the nation. Video of a Subaru ramming a burning 370Z was just part of a scene where police sized 80 cars. In March, street racers crashed into a Dodge Challenger that was doing donuts in the middle of an intersection. Maybe the threat of losing one’s car for good will reduce the number of these events.