REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the Adoption of Ordinance No. 2017 Adding a New Chapter 10.06 to Title 10 of the City Code ("Vehicles and Traffic") Related to Illegal Street Racing and Sideshows [Council Pillar: Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure]
Report
BACKGROUND
At the April 7, 2020 Council meeting, Ordinance No. 2017 was introduced and passed for the purpose of publication. Pursuant to City Charter Sections 808 and 812, a summary of proposed Ordinance No. 2017 was published on April 15, 2020, and copies were posted in three public places.
DISCUSSION
The proposed Ordinance adds Chapter 10.06 ("Spectators Prohibited at Illegal Speed Contests and Reckless Driving Exhibitions") to Title 10 the City Code ("Vehicles and Traffic") related to illegal street racing and sideshows. It is intended to discourage the act of organizing and participating in illegal speed contests or reckless driving exhibitions, as a participant or spectator, in an effort to protect the health, safety and welfare of the City.
State law provides the Police Department with a method to criminally enforce pertinent provisions of the California Vehicle Code as against an individual caught operating a vehicle in a street race or sideshow. However, it is often very difficult for the Police Department to apprehend the specific individuals who were racing, as they will quickly flee the area when the Police approach. Therefore, an enforcement method that many other cities in California have used is to broaden the scope of enforcement efforts to include those planning the race or sideshow event and those who attend the race/sideshow to spectate. Those collateral activities constitute aiding and abetting the criminal racing and reckless driving.
It is expected that the ability to include spectators in enforcement efforts will help curb the criminal activity. The proposed ordinance is aimed at a very specific, limited population and will give proper n...
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