CLEVELAND — Cleveland City Council on Monday officially approved an ordinance strengthening the city's street racing laws in an effort to curtail a rise in "street takeovers" that have gripped the community in recent weeks.
The legislation, introduced by Councilmen Mike Polensek and Kerry McCormack and further boosted by Council President Blaine Griffin, builds upon already existing measures "to prohibit additional actions and behaviors." Activities now formally banned include:
- Blocking intersections
- Burnouts
- Doughnuts
- Drifting (a sideways skid)
- Stunt driving
- Wheelies
Many of these actions were on display during the aforementioned takeovers, including several incidents across the city during the afternoon and evening of Sept. 28 and into the early morning hours of Sept. 29. During these run-ins — which included suspects blocking traffic on Interstate 90 — witnesses reported seeing perpetrators not just stopping other cars from moving, but also pointing guns at people, lighting fireworks, and attempting to start fires.
Monday's ordinance "conforms to changes in state law" that became effective on Oct. 24. However, a greater sense of urgency developed following the events of late September, spawning calls for action from Polensek and other members of council.
"We need to get the attention of these street outlaws, who think this is the wild, wild west and they can do anything they like on our Cleveland roads and parking lots," Polensek, who chairs city council's safety committee, said after introducing the legislation last month.
Per the new state laws, those who knowingly participate in a street takeover by standing in roadways now face the same penalties as those inside vehicles during these disruptions. According to Cleveland City Council, "the penalty for violation has not been changed from the current city code and is the same as state law: a 1st degree misdemeanor and at least a 30 day suspension of the driver’s license as well as the same penalty for anyone who assists them."
"The new legislation would also make 'vehicle components' subject to seizure and forfeiture, including but not limited to steering wheels, wheels and tires and mufflers, or any part of the vehicle or component that was adapted for use in street takeovers, stunt driving or racing," council added in a statement Monday evening.
Cleveland police have already arrested no less than seven people for their alleged roles in the Sept. 28-29 takeovers, with three having since been indicted by grand juries. The city has also established a Street Take Over Task Force that will work to find solutions towards combatting the problem.