With the rise in street takeovers and illegal street racing incidents that lead to the destruction of private and public property, the pressure on police departments to nab the culprits is real.
With large crowds, fast cars, and incidents of violence, it can get tricky for the police to take all those responsible into custody. The chaos surrounding these coordinated events often helps suspects flee the spot when the police arrive.
As a result, the Detroit Police Department is considering stepping up its game through the use of drones, which will help track suspects from above. Even if the suspects manage to escape, the footage recorded by drones could help the police find and arrest them later.
When paired with regular patrolling operations, drones could prove extremely useful, as a bird’s-eye view would be the fastest way to track illegal gatherings and street racing.
DPD Launches Aggressive Crackdown on Street Takeovers and Street Racing
The Detroit Police Department has ramped up its operations against street takeovers that showcase teen violence, stunts in mostly stolen, modified cars, youngsters jumping on parked cars, and, in many instances, the use of firearms, which result in injury or death.
Illegal racing and dangerous driving put the lives of innocent motorists at great risk, giving patrol vehicles a hard time pursuing them, often leading to their escape.
The Metro Detroit News reports that air support is an important part of the DPD’s strategy to tackle coordinated street takeovers and illegal drag racing. Thus, the department is looking to expand the use of drones to monitor such gatherings.
What complements the Detroit Police’s air drone strategy is social media surveillance through its Real Time Crime Center, which helps them identify potential street takeover target locations before they occur.
Assistant Chief Franklin Hayes confirmed last week that the police had “launched a focused effort in late March, targeting known hotspots. East and west side teams handle enforcement on weekends, while precincts take over during the week.”
DPD is working with the council to prevent road racing through design changes to the road, such as the addition of rumble strips and barriers in areas most affected by street racing.
The police revealed that not only suspects, but also street takeover spectators can be ticketed. Drivers involved in the takeovers could face reckless or felonious driving charges. Their vehicles may also be seized through court orders, which may lead to their auction.
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Chicago Mayor Faces Heat For Street Takeovers
Guessing Headlights recently reported a street takeover incident from Chicago, in which suspects triggered an explosion inside a parked car. The act has sparked outrage among citizens.
Alderman Raymond Lopez, a Democrat, has warned that such takeovers could strike the city this summer, urging the city’s mayor, Brandon Johnson, to take control of the situation. He said:
“I do not believe that Mayor Brandon Johnson is doing enough to tamper down these activities. What we have seen is Chicago has now become a destination location for illegal street takeovers like this where hundreds of youth are encouraged to descend on a location, and whether it’s to do mob action, regardless of if he likes the term or not, illegal street takeovers with our vehicles or other activities that are criminal, people know to come here.”
Lopez added that the teens know they can get away with their acts. He said:
“They know they can get away with it, and they know that oftentimes our police are handcuffed themselves from stopping and interceding at these events.”
He added:
“We’ve never done what it takes to authorize our officers to fully engage with these individuals, to box them in, to corral them so that they can’t escape, to arrest them, to impound their vehicles like the law requires us to do.
“And we have never really pursued who is behind the promotions of these events on social media. We know that they are spread online through Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and others, but yet we do almost nothing to find who is at the root of those posts of these gatherings.”