Street Racing

Presenter:Ronald W. Glensor

Session Objectives

• Examine “street racing” and contributing factors.• Identify factors that will help in understanding

“Your Local Problem”• Identify “best practices” and less effective

responses to street racing• Examine less effective responses• Identify Evaluation Measures

Racing versus Cruising

An American Tradition

A New Generation of Racers

A Global Issue as Well

What Are Some Related Problem?

• Auto Theft (Hondas & Acuras top 5 makes)

• Insurance Fraud• Illegal vehicle

modification• Noise/Crowds/fights• Theft/Fencing auto parts• Gambling• Accidents• Pedestrian injuries &

deaths

Why So Popular?

• Unsupervised activity and environment

• Attracts people too young for bars and other adult only activities

• Socializing with friends• Show off car and driving

ability• Spectator sport• Speed is addicting!

What Information Is Needed to Understand Your Local Problem?

• Incident and Crime Analysis Data • Local/Regional Racing Websites• Information about the “Incidents”• Information about “Locations/Times”• Information about “Offenders”• Information about “Victims” • Assess Current Responses

Data Gathering and Analysis

• Most agencies CAD don’t have dedicated coding for street racing

• Even with CAD coding, other related incidents may not be evident (sales to stolen parts, under-aged drinking, etc…)

• Most agencies relegated to hand searching CAD and crime reports.

Tracking Racing Websites• Street Racing web-sites are popular.• Many sites are specific to a city; e.g.,

bakersfieldstreetracing.com, cvsr.net (socal)• Information about legal/illegal events may be obtained

from club news, chat rooms, message boards, etc…• SEME (Specialty Equipment Market Assoc) Association)

strongly opposes police efforts• Racelegal.com and NHRA.com focus their efforts on

promoting legal street racing.• Streetracing.org (magazine)

Scanning

• Number of calls• Nature of complaint• Accidents related to racing/injuries• What attracts racing to the jurisdiction• Reports of retaliation among competing racers

Victims• Who is harmed? (racers, passengers,

onlookers, innocent motorist, business owners, residents)

• What is public’s opinion about racing? (letters to editor, surveys, public meetings, formal complaints)

• Who are Victims? (demographics, their involvement)

• Who are injured or killed?

(7/14/04 - HOUSTON) — Three people, including an innocent bystander, were killed when two brothers allegedly

raced down a southwest Houston street.

Offenders

• What is known about racers?• If organized, are they criminal, gangs, car

enthusiasts• Why do they race?• Are participants unsupervised youth?• Where do racers live?• Do cited racers repeat?• Who are the worst offenders?• Are they operating unsafe vehicles?

Location

• What is the nature of the area(s) where racing takes place?

• Where are the hot spots• What environmental factors contribute to racing• What related offenses are involved

(disturbances, assaults and weapons, liquor, curfew, graffiti)

• When does racing occur?

Review Current Responses

• What’s working, what’s not and Why?

• Are there adequate ordinances and laws to deal with racing and relate problems?

• Are stakeholders and partners identified and involved in solutions?

• Do adequate resources exist to deal with the problem?

Responding to Street RacingEnforcement of Ordinances

• Reckless driving, exhibition of speed, altered muffler, noise, etc…

• Freemont, CA. Banned all traffic between 10pm and 6am on 10 most popular roads used for racing. Violators subject to impound.

• Reno, Nevada. Spectators within 200 feet of race may be fined $200.

• State of Texas enacted harsher penalties for street racing.

Responding to Street RacingImpound and/or Seize Vehicles

• Many jurisdictions impound vehicles engaged in street racing

• San Diego, CA. among first to pass vehicle forfeiture ordinance. A vehicle declared a nuisance may be permanently seized when used in race or exhibition of speed.

• Stockton, CA. targeted vehicles versus drivers, relying on ordinance that allows police to seize vehicles involved in racing or exhibition for speed for 30 days.

Responding to Street RacingPartnership With Businesses

• Street racers often find popular gathering places to socialize and plan racing for the evening

• Posting no trespass signs• Limiting after-hour access

to area• Employing private security

Responding to Street RacingClose/Alter Streets

• Speed bumps, barricades and k-railing.

• Use of freeway message signs to warn racers.

Responding to Street RacingLegal Alternatives

• Several national programs to promote legal street racing include, Beat the Heat, Racers Against Street Racing, National Hot Rod Association.

• Encourage safe and legal racing on a designated track

• Most jurisdictions require valid license and safety check before racing

Responses with Limited Effectiveness

• Installing speed bumps• Citing and Releasing Racers• Using Decoy Police Vehicles

How Do You Measure Effectiveness?

• Reduced numbers of racers• Reduced number of racing incidents• Reduced number of racing related incidents• Reduced number of public complaints• Increased public satisfaction

Questions?