Photo: Ford, Brad
The Portland Police Bureau continues to address the dangerous and illegal practice of street racing and street takeovers.
On Saturday, December 30, 2023, and Sunday, December 31, 2023, North Precinct officers, with the assistance of East Precinct and Central Precinct officers, the Specialized Resource Division, and members of the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, conducted a Street Takeover Mission. Officers spent approximately 10 hours each night disrupting street takeover events in all corners of the city. The mission resulted in 19 arrests and 13 citations. Additionally, seven firearms were recovered and 21 vehicles were towed. Some of those vehicles could be subject to forfeiture with the passing of Oregon Senate Bill 615.
“I am beyond impressed by the work of our officers during this important mission,” Portland Police Chief Bob Day said. “Street racing and street takeover events are extremely dangerous and negatively impact our neighborhoods. I remain committed to conducting additional missions that will improve safety and livability in our community.”
"This weekend I joined PPB on their New Year's Eve street racing mission and saw firsthand just how dangerous and disruptive street racing and street takeover events are to businesses, pedestrians, and other traffic,” Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt added. “While these events can be very challenging from a law enforcement perspective, the missions resulted in a good number of arrests and many vehicles being taken off the street. Even further, with the passage of SB 615 -- a law that my office worked on and that I supported -- we will now be able to use criminal forfeiture of these vehicles as part of the prosecution process. The message is clear: If you engage in illegal street racing and street takeovers, you will face criminal penalties, including the permanent loss of your car."
The Portland Police Bureau will continue its efforts in educating community members about the dangers of speed racing. This education will be conducted on our social media platforms and through one-on-one conversations with participants. Enforcement action will also continue against individuals who are suspected of committing these types of crimes.
PPB wants to remind participants that street takeovers can result in jail time, fines, and towed vehicles.
Future missions are being planned as resources allow. These missions typically will not be preannounced, so participants are warned that they are risking arrest, towed vehicles, and traffic tickets if they take part in illegal street racing or takeovers. The goal of these missions is to deter people from engaging in these illegal and dangerous activities that are often related to crashes, shootings and other criminal activity.
Source: Portland Police