PLACENTIA : Closing Loophole Ends Drag Racers’ Free Ride
A legal loophole that allowed teen-age drag racers a free ride in a private community was closed this week by council members who authorized police to write tickets on the neighborhood’s street.
A majority of those living along Berkenstock Circle, a privately owned road that circles 10 homes, petitioned the city to enforce the vehicle code. Without the residents’ petition and subsequent council action, the city lacked authority to enforce traffic laws on the private property.
“The laws are not enforceable, and the kids know it,” 24-year Berkenstock Estates resident Lawrence Odenz told council members this week. “We have an escalating problem,” he said, with drag racing.
Residents requested police enforcement of city traffic and parking laws to help control a group of as many as 30 teen-agers who gathered in the area.
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