Penalties Urged for Spectators at Drag Races

Hoping to slow drag racing, Los Angeles city officials called Friday for new laws that would allow police to more easily ticket spectators of illegal street races and to impound the cars involved.

Saying he is concerned about the high number of street races in his north San Fernando Valley district, City Councilman Hal Bernson of Granada Hills was joined by Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski in introducing a motion to toughen the law against illegal races.

“It’s been a serious problem, especially in the north Valley,” said Ali Sar, a spokesman for Bernson.

In the last year, eight young people have died in accidents in the San Fernando and Antelope valleys that were believed to involve illegal racing or intentional speeding.

Last summer, the LAPD issued more than 300 tickets and made four arrests during a one-night crackdown on an illegal street race in Chatsworth.

The police have found crowds of hundreds of people at some of the illegal races, which abound in the Valley, where many streets have long stretches without traffic lights.

The problem has grown so severe that Bernson called a summit this week with police officers from the Devonshire, Foothill and Traffic divisions to find ways to curtail the illegal races.

“We are looking for a legal process to deter street racing and the gathering of spectators that encourages the races,” said Lt. Joe Eddy, who oversees detectives in the Devonshire Division.

Bernson’s motion would specifically allow citations for spectators at illegal street races.

The police can impound the cars of illegal racers for 30 days, but the vehicles are back out on the street too quickly, officials said.

Bernson’s motion would toughen the law by allowing the police to impound for up to six months any car involved in street racing. The ordinance would also prohibit release of such vehicles until the owner has paid all fines.

In addition, the Bernson measure would allow the city to keep the vehicle and sell it if fines are not paid within six months.

“That would be a worthwhile tool in trying to get a handle on these kids who are out street racing,” said Capt. Ron Seban, commanding officer of the Foothill Division. “It would really put a bite in the law if these kids knew they were going to lose their car for six months.”

Seban also said officials have sought a location for controlled racing.

Currently, officers hand out discount passes to a drag racing strip in Pomona, but illegal street races still occur.

Seban said kids from as far away as San Diego and Newport Beach have been found at the Valley races, which are organized on the Internet.

“It’s been going on for 40 or 50 years,” Seban said.

On many Friday and Saturday nights, races are held on Foothill Division streets, including San Fernando Mission Road, Seban said.

On Wednesdays, young people often gather on Plummer Avenue and Devonshire Street, Seban said.

“They have scouts who alert the racers that we are coming and everyone scatters,” the captain said.

The Bernson-Miscikowski motion is scheduled for consideration by the City Council next week.