Drag-racing crackdown snares 175~ did you guys see this??
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Drag-racing crackdown snares 175~ did you guys see this??
Drag-racing crackdown snares 175
Phoenix police say a weekend raid was the largest known street drag-racing bust in Valley history, with at least 175 adults and teenagers arrested for various crimes associated with the growing problem.
Police arrested 10 people for drag racing. More than 165 were booked on a variety of charges, including suspicion of trespassing, violating curfew and underage drinking, police said.
In addition, about 100 cars were ordered towed and 90 tickets were issued to drivers and bystanders around 47th Avenue and Mohave Street, just south of Buckeye Road.
Police have long known the area was a drag-racing hotspot with street competitions that sometimes attract 500 cars. Drivers can pay up to $500 to enter races and the winner gets the pot, said Phoenix police Sgt. Scot Gillespie, who coordinated Saturday's effort.
Investigators say they've seen races along various streets throughout the city and suburbs.
Phoenix police hope that by booking suspects and towing vehicles, they will send a stronger signal than earlier crackdowns in which police only issued tickets, Gillespie explained.
"We want to put a message out that this will not be tolerated," he said. "These just have the potential for 15, 20 people to get killed instantly."
Those arrested for drag racing face fines of $500, a yearlong license suspension and community service, he said.
Most of the drivers are in high school and race souped-up Hondas, Toyotas or Saturns. They play loud music, paint graffiti on buildings, drink alcohol and some buy drugs, police said. Spectators line the street and the drivers have about 20 feet of room to maneuver.
Although mostly teenagers participate in the events, bystanders and drivers span several generations. On Saturday, police arrested a 38-year-old man driving his mother's car, Gillespie said. An 18-year-old man baby-sitting for his family brought his 5-year-old brother to the races.
The stretch of Mohave Street, near an Arizona Public Service power plant, is desolate during the day. On the south, there are empty fields and to the north there are warehouses and a few new offices. Along the street, skid marks wind and crisscross as evidence of the weekend contests.
For Saturday's raid, a warehouse owner let police park their patrol cars inside an empty building, said Phoenix police Officer Frank Valenzuela.
Early in the evening, the waiting officers got a scare when an ambulance drove by and the crowd scattered.
"Once they hear sirens, they think we're going in," Valenzuela said. But when participants believed the coast was clear, even more bystanders and racers showed up, he said.
A little after midnight, officers opened the warehouse doors and more than two dozens patrol cars streamed out, blocking the racers' exits on the west and east sides of the street.
The operation cost $10,000 and involved 34 police officers, several civilians and eight tow trucks.
Phoenix Councilman Claude Mattox applauded police efforts to keep the public safe.
"We're just trying to prevent people from getting hurt," Mattox said. "In some cases, you're trying to save them from themselves."
Drag racers cost taxpayers too much money and detract from public safety and services, he said.
"We're just trying to get back to the point of providing people with the services they need and expect."
Phoenix police say a weekend raid was the largest known street drag-racing bust in Valley history, with at least 175 adults and teenagers arrested for various crimes associated with the growing problem.
Police arrested 10 people for drag racing. More than 165 were booked on a variety of charges, including suspicion of trespassing, violating curfew and underage drinking, police said.
In addition, about 100 cars were ordered towed and 90 tickets were issued to drivers and bystanders around 47th Avenue and Mohave Street, just south of Buckeye Road.
Police have long known the area was a drag-racing hotspot with street competitions that sometimes attract 500 cars. Drivers can pay up to $500 to enter races and the winner gets the pot, said Phoenix police Sgt. Scot Gillespie, who coordinated Saturday's effort.
Investigators say they've seen races along various streets throughout the city and suburbs.
Phoenix police hope that by booking suspects and towing vehicles, they will send a stronger signal than earlier crackdowns in which police only issued tickets, Gillespie explained.
"We want to put a message out that this will not be tolerated," he said. "These just have the potential for 15, 20 people to get killed instantly."
Those arrested for drag racing face fines of $500, a yearlong license suspension and community service, he said.
Most of the drivers are in high school and race souped-up Hondas, Toyotas or Saturns. They play loud music, paint graffiti on buildings, drink alcohol and some buy drugs, police said. Spectators line the street and the drivers have about 20 feet of room to maneuver.
Although mostly teenagers participate in the events, bystanders and drivers span several generations. On Saturday, police arrested a 38-year-old man driving his mother's car, Gillespie said. An 18-year-old man baby-sitting for his family brought his 5-year-old brother to the races.
The stretch of Mohave Street, near an Arizona Public Service power plant, is desolate during the day. On the south, there are empty fields and to the north there are warehouses and a few new offices. Along the street, skid marks wind and crisscross as evidence of the weekend contests.
For Saturday's raid, a warehouse owner let police park their patrol cars inside an empty building, said Phoenix police Officer Frank Valenzuela.
Early in the evening, the waiting officers got a scare when an ambulance drove by and the crowd scattered.
"Once they hear sirens, they think we're going in," Valenzuela said. But when participants believed the coast was clear, even more bystanders and racers showed up, he said.
A little after midnight, officers opened the warehouse doors and more than two dozens patrol cars streamed out, blocking the racers' exits on the west and east sides of the street.
The operation cost $10,000 and involved 34 police officers, several civilians and eight tow trucks.
Phoenix Councilman Claude Mattox applauded police efforts to keep the public safe.
"We're just trying to prevent people from getting hurt," Mattox said. "In some cases, you're trying to save them from themselves."
Drag racers cost taxpayers too much money and detract from public safety and services, he said.
"We're just trying to get back to the point of providing people with the services they need and expect."
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Rep Power: 0 ya saw it this morning on tv. honestly its about time.
1) kids these days dont know how to do it right(like show up in the same spot so the police know where you are, and race given any possible chance)
2) at least this helps get all the "ricers" off the streets
3) i bet you more than half the cars there were avengers, stratus', intrepids, and other crappy street racer wannabe's.
1) kids these days dont know how to do it right(like show up in the same spot so the police know where you are, and race given any possible chance)
2) at least this helps get all the "ricers" off the streets
3) i bet you more than half the cars there were avengers, stratus', intrepids, and other crappy street racer wannabe's.
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Most of the drivers are in high school and race souped-up Hondas, Toyotas or Saturns. They play loud music, paint graffiti on buildings, drink alcohol and some buy drugs, police said.
Im gonna be like Spilner
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Rep Power: 0 Well there's a good use for 24+ squad cars on a Saturday night. Wonder how many real crimes were committed, oh yeah, a woman was kidnapped and killed, a repeat child abuser killed another child...and these guys were out handing out misdemeanor citations....
Gotta love the priority levels.
Gotta love the priority levels.
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well in Houston a while back there was about a 350+ plus bust here on westheimer in K-Mart parking lot!! All keys got confiscated and cars got towed and damm near everyone went to jail but it wasn't suppose to happen like that and then lawsuits started getting filed and stuff and cops got suspended for it but i never found out the outcome of it!!
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Rep Power: 0 Originally posted by l00pb4k
Well there's a good use for 24+ squad cars on a Saturday night. Wonder how many real crimes were committed, oh yeah, a woman was kidnapped and killed, a repeat child abuser killed another child...and these guys were out handing out misdemeanor citations....
Gotta love the priority levels.
Well there's a good use for 24+ squad cars on a Saturday night. Wonder how many real crimes were committed, oh yeah, a woman was kidnapped and killed, a repeat child abuser killed another child...and these guys were out handing out misdemeanor citations....
Gotta love the priority levels.
Do you really think that if the bust didnt happen then the woman and the child would be alive right now...doubt it. There are special divisions devoted to sex crimes, homicide, narcotics, gangs, etc...
Have you ever been pulled over by a Detective? No, you've been pulled over by patrol officers that are doing what they are supposed to do
Everyone loves the police until something like this happens...you scream for the police when something happens to you but when it happens to someone else you bitch.
Bottom line, according to Arizona state law, racing is illegal when done of public highways. Watching these illegal races is considered loitering and thats also illegal.
Last edited by AZ2K1Civic; Nov 3, 2003 at 02:27 PM.
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-the bust was in Phoenix, and some of the crimes that are referred to happened in Glendale
(Phoenix PD covers Phoenix and Glendale PD covers Glendale)
-the police obviously had this operation planned, so how could they cancel the operation assuming that some awful crimes 'might' be taking place tonight
(they happen just about every night)
-those crimes will happen in the future as well if the police dont reform the acts of some teens today
-the bust was in Phoenix, and some of the crimes that are referred to happened in Glendale
(Phoenix PD covers Phoenix and Glendale PD covers Glendale)
-the police obviously had this operation planned, so how could they cancel the operation assuming that some awful crimes 'might' be taking place tonight
(they happen just about every night)
-those crimes will happen in the future as well if the police dont reform the acts of some teens today
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From: 909
Rep Power: 0 **General Gist of previous post in a not so mean and ranting tone**
1) Why doesn't the Police Dept. (whichever is involved, they all work together in the valley) Put together programs to get the street racer off the streets and onto tracks? i.e. Racers Against Street Racing
2) Drag Racing has existed long before this and there has been a constant struggle between Law Enforcement and the dangers of illegal street/drag racing. (Look at American Graffiti sometime)
3) The collective Police Dept. will net a significant amount of $$ from these citations as well as the impounded cars sold at police auction. Is this Politics or where is that money going? Could it be put into said programs along with the money from citations from the future busts?
We all realize this is dangerous and teenagers will always be looking for that thrill. With this type of culture, there will inevitably be those selling drugs, drinking, etc. and that could be quelled in a controlled environment, as well as teaching these kids who have an interest in racing how to drive better and possibly steer them toward a legit form of racing.
1) Why doesn't the Police Dept. (whichever is involved, they all work together in the valley) Put together programs to get the street racer off the streets and onto tracks? i.e. Racers Against Street Racing
2) Drag Racing has existed long before this and there has been a constant struggle between Law Enforcement and the dangers of illegal street/drag racing. (Look at American Graffiti sometime)
3) The collective Police Dept. will net a significant amount of $$ from these citations as well as the impounded cars sold at police auction. Is this Politics or where is that money going? Could it be put into said programs along with the money from citations from the future busts?
We all realize this is dangerous and teenagers will always be looking for that thrill. With this type of culture, there will inevitably be those selling drugs, drinking, etc. and that could be quelled in a controlled environment, as well as teaching these kids who have an interest in racing how to drive better and possibly steer them toward a legit form of racing.
Last edited by l00pb4k; Nov 3, 2003 at 03:44 PM.
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Rep Power: 0 First thing, Im not throwing attitude...But you have to epxect that Im protect my own. The general public doesnt know everything like they think they do. There is a lot of politcal red tape bullsh!t that goes on between street police and the legislaters that can make things happen like open up legal race tracks and start programs like the one from San Diego that you mentioned. If it were up to police then a lot of **** would be very different. The problem is that lawyers make the laws when they have no idea how it really is.
If a neighborhood complains enough about something then its going to be looked into. This was big enough of a problem where something needed to be done about it. Im not saying that racing like this hasnt been going on since before I was born or that I never raced. BUT, since movies like FnF, Gone in 60 Sec, 2F2F, etc...people are more aware now.
I dont like how people think that everyone who drives a modified sport compact is a nuisance. You should see the confused looks I get from people when they see my uniform in a lowered Civic.
Sorry if you sensed some anger coming from my other post but you gotta understand where Im coming from.
If a neighborhood complains enough about something then its going to be looked into. This was big enough of a problem where something needed to be done about it. Im not saying that racing like this hasnt been going on since before I was born or that I never raced. BUT, since movies like FnF, Gone in 60 Sec, 2F2F, etc...people are more aware now.
I dont like how people think that everyone who drives a modified sport compact is a nuisance. You should see the confused looks I get from people when they see my uniform in a lowered Civic.
Sorry if you sensed some anger coming from my other post but you gotta understand where Im coming from.
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Rep Power: 0 Originally posted by FALKEN
my $.02
-the bust was in Phoenix, and some of the crimes that are referred to happened in Glendale
(Phoenix PD covers Phoenix and Glendale PD covers Glendale)
-the police obviously had this operation planned, so how could they cancel the operation assuming that some awful crimes 'might' be taking place tonight
(they happen just about every night)
-those crimes will happen in the future as well if the police dont reform the acts of some teens today
my $.02
-the bust was in Phoenix, and some of the crimes that are referred to happened in Glendale
(Phoenix PD covers Phoenix and Glendale PD covers Glendale)
-the police obviously had this operation planned, so how could they cancel the operation assuming that some awful crimes 'might' be taking place tonight
(they happen just about every night)
-those crimes will happen in the future as well if the police dont reform the acts of some teens today
touche...
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Rep Power: 0 l00pb4k- I love my job and I didnt mean any disrespect to you.
I read your post right before you changed it and JT is right...we needed something to stir things up in the AZ forum...Its good for people to see both sides of things.
I read your post right before you changed it and JT is right...we needed something to stir things up in the AZ forum...Its good for people to see both sides of things.
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From: 909
Rep Power: 0 There I summarized it for you in a not so angry tone.
My question still remains, is this the biggest problem we have in this valley? Or is it because there is nothing for people under the age of 21 to do here on a Saturday night?
My question still remains, is this the biggest problem we have in this valley? Or is it because there is nothing for people under the age of 21 to do here on a Saturday night?
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From: 909
Rep Power: 0 Originally posted by AZ2K1Civic
l00pb4k- I love my job and I didnt mean any disrespect to you.
I read your post right before you changed it and JT is right...we needed something to stir things up in the AZ forum...Its good for people to see both sides of things.
l00pb4k- I love my job and I didnt mean any disrespect to you.
I read your post right before you changed it and JT is right...we needed something to stir things up in the AZ forum...Its good for people to see both sides of things.
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From: 909
Rep Power: 0 So seriously...Let's have an Opinion from the Law Enforcement perspective. Is it better to ticket, impound, and arrest or encourage the activity in an environment that not only lets the participants have fun and be safe, but also provides them proper driving and handling skills while not promoting aggressive driving. This would be difficult, there would be funding and the challenge of designing a program that doesn't feel like driving school and keeps the interest of 16 - 20 somethings. Or would the collective Valley PDs get behind a non-profit org that would provide this type of environment.
Granted you have to scare them a bit. And they have to respect the laws and authority of the PD for enforcing those laws. So how do you do it? Put more people in our already overcrowded jails or do something constructive?
Granted you have to scare them a bit. And they have to respect the laws and authority of the PD for enforcing those laws. So how do you do it? Put more people in our already overcrowded jails or do something constructive?
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Rep Power: 0 they should make drag night at speedworld cheaper so more people could come?
what i dont understand now is why would you brag about whoopin someone's *** on the street from light to light thru 2 gears as if it was a fair and controlled race?
wouldnt you rather whoop his *** on a track and have the timeslip to prove that you have a better car or you are a better driver?
whats funny is 6-7 years ago i would have been on the other side of this conversation.
what i dont understand now is why would you brag about whoopin someone's *** on the street from light to light thru 2 gears as if it was a fair and controlled race?
wouldnt you rather whoop his *** on a track and have the timeslip to prove that you have a better car or you are a better driver?
whats funny is 6-7 years ago i would have been on the other side of this conversation.
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From: 909
Rep Power: 0 And whats better than some straight line drag? Set up a road course and run an autocross with instructors, but make it affordable or volunteer basis for those running the classes. Could spend all or half of Saturday hanging out with your buddies, turning laps with your car with no worries of a ticket, and progress into SCCA racing.
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Rep Power: 0 Ive watched friends drive the road track at Firebird and get some education on handling their cars too but you have to take the time to set it up and most people dont have patience for that.
I would love to see more tracks open for people that wanna prove their worth behind the wheel but there is no guarantee that those new tracks will do well enough to stay open. Ive heard about nights where the local police show up and you get the chance to race the cruisers...that would be fun.
As for the question about whether to ticket, tow, arrest those who participate in or watch the illegal drags...With all the effort and time they put into this last sting Im sure they didnt intend on just ticketing people and letting them go. What point would that have gotten across?
I work for the county and they give me a lot of discretion, than say Phx PD has, on how I handle any situation. Knowing my past I may be more lenient with something like street racing just because I did it too once.
Of course it would be better for everyone if these people that race had a place where they could have fun and be safe at the same time...it would be less hassle for Police, the public, jail and prisons, lawyers, judges, juries, etc....
I wanna add more but I have to run...
Chris
I would love to see more tracks open for people that wanna prove their worth behind the wheel but there is no guarantee that those new tracks will do well enough to stay open. Ive heard about nights where the local police show up and you get the chance to race the cruisers...that would be fun.
As for the question about whether to ticket, tow, arrest those who participate in or watch the illegal drags...With all the effort and time they put into this last sting Im sure they didnt intend on just ticketing people and letting them go. What point would that have gotten across?
I work for the county and they give me a lot of discretion, than say Phx PD has, on how I handle any situation. Knowing my past I may be more lenient with something like street racing just because I did it too once.
Of course it would be better for everyone if these people that race had a place where they could have fun and be safe at the same time...it would be less hassle for Police, the public, jail and prisons, lawyers, judges, juries, etc....
I wanna add more but I have to run...
Chris 
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Rep Power: 290 Have you ever been pulled over by a Detective? No, you've been pulled over by patrol officers that are doing what they are supposed to do
yea accually i have several times..... (pulled over by a detective, plain clothes)
i got pulled over to the point of harrasment, it was so often.. so i disappeared lol and bitched to the popo's
yea accually i have several times..... (pulled over by a detective, plain clothes)
i got pulled over to the point of harrasment, it was so often.. so i disappeared lol and bitched to the popo's
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
Rep Power: 0 Originally posted by dragin
Have you ever been pulled over by a Detective? No, you've been pulled over by patrol officers that are doing what they are supposed to do
yea accually i have several times..... (pulled over by a detective, plain clothes)
i got pulled over to the point of harrasment, it was so often.. so i disappeared lol and bitched to the popo's
Have you ever been pulled over by a Detective? No, you've been pulled over by patrol officers that are doing what they are supposed to do
yea accually i have several times..... (pulled over by a detective, plain clothes)
i got pulled over to the point of harrasment, it was so often.. so i disappeared lol and bitched to the popo's
