Item 15 - Ordinance Entitled "Street Racing and Reckless Driving Exhibitions Prohibited"

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Ordinance Adding Article XV, Sections 36-706 through 36-710, Entitled "Street Racing and Reckless Driving Exhibitions Prohibited" to the Santa Ana Municipal Code October 3, 2023 Page 2 3 7 5 9 exhibitions are prevalent. SAPD emphasizes the educational component of S.T.E.A.R.R.D through various social media platforms, focusing on the dangers and consequences of street racing and takeovers. SAPD has produced an anti-racing video and continues to educate the public about the dangers of street racing and takeovers, as well as legal and safe alternative locations, (Irwindale Speedway). SAPD has also partnered with several other law enforcement agencies throughout the County and outside the County (including the CHP), who have experienced an increase in street racing, takeovers/sideshows, and reckless driving. The partnership works together to combat these activities on a weekly basis. To date, this partnership has completed over 360 multi-agency enforcement operations, resulting in 7,297 citations, 462 vehicles impounds, and 276 arrests related to racing, takeovers, and reckless driving. Efforts have also led to arrests for drunk driving and weapons violations. Additionally, SAPD has been experiencing an increase in noise-related calls for service related to speeding, racing, and takeover activities throughout the community. In general, spectators gather where takeovers/sideshows occur. These takeover groups and crews often use their own social media to provide the location (public streets and intersections), date(s), and time(s) where they are planning these unlawful events. Spectators are typically associated with street takeover crews and are their “followers” on social media. “Spectator” is defined as any person who is present at a street race or reckless driving exhibition (takeovers and/or sideshows), or the site of the preparations for either of these activities, for the purpose of viewing, observing, watching, recording, or witnessing the event as it progresses. A spectator will be considered “present” if the person is within a certain distance from the location of the street race or reckless driving exhibition or from the site of the preparations for either of these activities. Spectators are often, but not always, young persons in their teens and twenties. Spectators describe these “takeover” events as an exhilarating, intense, and thrilling public show at no cost to the spectator. The relationship between the driver(s) and the spectator(s) include two primary components: PERFORMANCE and AUDIENCE. The takeover groups put on the “performance” with their driving patterns (donuts and burnouts) while the “spectators” act as the “audience,” who by their presence and sheer numbers, also create a barrier for law enforcement. For this ordinance to be impactful, law enforcement personnel will be trained to discern suspected “spectators” from ordinary motorists, residents, or other persons unrelated to the event who by happenstance are at or near the location of these unlawful activities. Spectators are often discernable based on their actions rather than their appearance.