San Francisco Mayor London Breed is proposing new laws to combat an ongoing issue in the city: vehicle sideshows.
Breed last month announced a proposal of new laws to punish those who participate in promoting sideshows, and those who participate in helping to assemble sideshows such as helping to block streets. Those obstructing police officers from clearing sideshows will also be punished.
Additionally, Breed is proposing to have cars seized involved in sideshows held longer for more than 30 days, including the possible permanent seizure of the vehicle if the District Attorney’s Office files charges and there is a conviction.
Breed said at the press conference that the city will also look to come after dirt bikes, which have been seen Bay Area-wide and in the city doing stunts on the roadway:
“Now, it’s one thing to just ride your dirt bike along the city streets, stop at the stop signs and follow the laws and the rules of the road. It’s a whole other thing when you see these dirt bikes ride in large numbers on sidewalks, barely missing pedestrians as they walk, and running red lights to a point where vehicles are trying to avoid hitting people on dirt bikes.”
The mayor said the city will use every tool and law available to disrupt sideshows:
“We are going to make it very uncomfortable, very inconvenient for these sideshows to happen.”
Year-to-date, Police Chief Bill Scott said 67 vehicles have so far been seized for reckless evasion and being involved in the sideshows. Technology will play a role during the sideshows, including the use of drones, the police chief said:
“We plan to take full advantage of using that technology to enhance our ability to identify cars and people that are involved in these sideshows.”
Besides partnerships with other Bay Area countries, Scott said it will need the public’s help to call police if they see a large assembly of vehicles or dirt bikes, even if they are not committing any illegal activity, calling it the “precursor.”
Supervisor Matt Dorsey, a cosponsor of the proposed legislation, said in a statement:
“Sideshows are reckless and endanger pedestrians, local businesses, and participants themselves. Too many of these illegal events have led to serious injuries and even fatalities in some cities.”
The Police Department and city leaders has faced criticism for years from residents about the city not doing enough to stop the sideshows. Scott said officers try to break up the stunt driving events safely keeping in mind the safety of the public and its officers, adding:
“We would love to arrest everybody that’s committing illegal activity, but sometimes, that desire to arrest can cause us to make mistakes that get people hurt, and the bottom line is we don’t want to see anybody lose their lives or be hurt because of this reckless and dangerous activity,”
The proposed legislation will need approval from the Board of Supervisors. Breed said she hopes to implement the new laws as soon as October or November at the latest.
