Tough Penalties for Drag Racing Are Proposed

Despite concerns about the harshness of the proposal, the Los Angeles City Council agreed Friday to pursue new laws that would allow the police to fine spectators at illegal drag races and to impound the cars for up to six months.

Councilmen Hal Bernson and Alex Padilla said street racing has become a serious problem in their north San Fernando Valley districts. They say strong measures are necessary to protect the public.

Eight young people have died in the last year in accidents involving illegal street racing or speeding in the San Fernando and Antelope valleys.

“This is something strong enough that it will deter people from doing these things,” Bernson said. “They endanger life and property.”

Currently, the police can impound cars for 30 days and ticket the drivers for reckless driving and speeding. To cite people who gather to watch the races on city streets, however, they must find other violations, such as trespassing.

The council voted to ask the city attorney’s office to draft an ordinance that would allow police to cite spectators at illegal street races and to impound cars for up to six months.

The ordinance would also allow the city to keep the impounded cars if the owners do not pay all fines within six months.

Council members Jackie Goldberg and Nate Holden objected to the measure, with Goldberg saying the penalty sounds too harsh.

She said the impound charges for keeping a car six months might exceed the value of the car.

“In essence, we would have a penalty that says we get to seize and keep your automobile if you are involved in one drag-racing event,” Goldberg said. “I’m not sure the penalty fits the crime. It is already illegal to drag race. There are already consequences to it.”

Holden also questioned whether the city can legally cite people who just watch an illegal race.

“Whether or not it’s constitutional is questionable,” Holden said.

Supporters of the ordinance said the city attorney’s office will not provide an ordinance if it determines the proposed law is not constitutional.

“The reality is, on the streets there is unsafe activity going on,” Padilla said.

Bernson wrote the measure targeting spectators because he believes the crowds of watchers encourage others to race.

Council members said that in conjunction with toughening the law, city officials have been approached by racing enthusiasts about finding a location for a racetrack for legal races.

So far, Padilla has rejected proposals for racetracks at Hansen Dam and the former Lopez Canyon Landfill site in Lake View Terrace.

One resident testified against the proposed new law, saying it looks like an attempt by the city to grab nice cars to bail out its treasury.

However, north Valley resident Candido Marez told the council that the tougher measure is needed.

“The one thing I can guarantee you is tonight, between 1:30 and 3 a.m. there will be drag racing on Reseda Boulevard to Sesnon,” Marez said. “This is about protecting our children.”