City Council Urges Governor to Sign Street Racing Crackdown Legislation
State bill would allow 30-day vehicle impound

September 3, 2002

In a unanimous vote the Los Angeles City Council today urged Governor Gray Davis to approve legislation to help the Los Angeles Police Department crack down on illegal street racing.

The effort was spearheaded by Councilmember Wendy Greuel.

We applaud and support this effort.

The legislation is designed to hurt the street races where it matters. It takes away their cars for 30 days, even on a first offense, and imposes much more serious financial penalties.

From personal experience we know how devastating a high speed accident during a street race can be.

Our good friend, Sandy, was blindsided by a pair of teenage street racers. All three vehicles were totalled, and the boys walked away unharmed. But Sandy very nearly lost her leg, which was crushed by the impact.

Unable to work, this single mother was forced to go on disability, and had to move to more reasonable quarters. Over several years Sandy has continued to endure multiple serious operations and other medical procedures designed to simply help her walk again.

She'll never be the same. Her leg causes her constant pain, and probably always will. No matter how many operations she has, it was so severely damaged that walking will always be difficult ... and she'll carry horrendous scars for life.

Senate Bill 1489, introduced by State Senator Don Perata, expands police power to arrest and seize vehicles involved in reckless driving, including illegal speed contests, for up to 30 days.

“We must give law enforcement the tools it needs to eliminate street racing from Valley neighborhoods,” said Greuel. “Senate Bill 1489 is a responsible measure that will greatly enhance law enforcement officers’ ability to crack down on illegal street racers.”

Illegal street racing has been a serious problem in the San Fernando Valley for decades, causing untimely deaths and serious injuries to participants and bystanders and has diminished the quality of life in surrounding neighborhoods.

Despite the best efforts of law enforcement officials, the problem of illegal street racing persists.

On Friday, August 9, Councilmember Greuel joined an LAPD-led Illegal Street Racing Task Force in Sun Valley that resulted in hundreds of citations, 66 arrests and 92 vehicle impounds.

Though the task force was extraordinarily successful in issuing citations and making arrests, all but 3 of those vehicles had been recovered from impound within 24 hours.

The fine for impound release is currently just $123.

If Senate Bill 1489 were enacted, the police involved in this task force could have impounded the vehicles for up to 30 days - sending a harsher message and penalty.

Councilmember Greuel introduced legislation in August to increase fines and penalties for those who participate in illegal street racing - including vehicle forfeiture. Greuel has also moved to install physical deterrents to street racing on the city’s most dangerous streets.

Senate Bill 1489 is “urgency” legislation, which will take effect immediately upon the governor’s signature. The measure cleared the State Legislature in August and is currently on the governor’s desk.

We join Wendy Gruel, and the rest of the Council, in urging the Governor to sign the legislation post haste.