P.O. Box 3369
Anaheim, CA 92803-
3369
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
POLICE DEPARTMENT
DATE: OCTOBER 4, 2022
FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: STREET RACING AND TAKEOVERS STRATEGIES AND
ENFORCEMENT UPDATE
ATTACHMENT: NO ITEM # 11
REQUESTED ACTION:
That the City Council receive a presentation on street racing and takeovers, and enforcement update.
DISCUSSION:
At the August 23, 2022 City Council meeting, Council Member Moreno requested a presentation on street racing; and subsequently at the September 27, 2022 council meeting, requested the presentation include street takeovers. The City of Anaheim and the surrounding region experienced an epidemic of street racing and takeovers and related activities in recent years. These activities include drag racing and other exhibitions of speed, drifting, donuts, intersection takeovers, and other illegal activities.
Some of these activities are organized and planned, while others are spontaneous and occur randomly with little warning. While enforcement by the Anaheim Police Department is the primary method of curtailing this activity, enforcement is difficult due to the number of intersections where events can occur, the brevity of the events, and the organizers’ use of social media to reorganize leading up to and after the event.
The City Council adopted a Municipal Code regarding street racing in February 2021 to outlaw spectating at street racing. Spectators have been critical to the furtherance of these illegal activities and impede police officers attempting to enforce the law.
Engineering Efforts
Engineering countermeasures were researched and in some cases, tested; however, they were determined ineffective to curtail the problem. A few of the countermeasures that were implemented are listed below:
● Raised Pavement Markers: Raised Pavement Markers (RPMs) are reflective plastic four-inch squares, usually yellow or white in color, that are just over a half-inch high.
They are typically installed near lane lines or edge lines to increase their visibility at night or during adverse weather conditions. When driven over, the RPMs generate a Presentation on Street Racing and Takeovers, and Enforcement Update October 4, 2022
bumping sensation and audible cue that alerts drivers that they may have veered out of their lane or onto the shoulder. They were installed at a few locations in an attempt to discourage intersection takeovers, however, they were proven to be ineffective at preventing intersection takeovers.
● Speed lumps: As part of the City’s Neighborhood Traffic Management Program, speed lumps are an available traffic calming tool for use on residential streets. Speed lumps are raised traffic calming devices installed across a roadway to slow vehicles by elevating the vehicle’s wheelbase. They effectively reduce vehicle speeds, however, speed installation is limited to local streets with a speed limit of 25 mph or less and therefore cannot be installed on all streets.
Enforcement Efforts
The Anaheim Police Department (APD) has been focusing on directed enforcement throughout 2022. APD continues to prioritize enforcement efforts to address public safety and quality of life issues throughout the city. APD Traffic Section and Patrol teams continuously enforce laws pertaining to street racing and takeovers and related unlawful activities through ongoing directed enforcement campaigns. Several public safety resources and strategies have been deployed including overt cameras and directed enforcement efforts which aim to protect the area’s business owners and residents, while reducing the impact of street racing activities and crime.
The installation of high-visibility cameras and license plate readers have shown to be effective tools for locating and deterring crime. Officers have used video evidence to conduct investigations of crimes that would have otherwise been undetected. Several locations for additional cameras have been identified and will be installed with equipment and funding approval.
● Air Support: Anaheim Police Air Support officers are continuously on the lookout for any street racing related incidents and work with patrol teams to direct officers to violators. They are essential in locating, identifying, and arresting violators. The Air Support officers use their cameras to record illegal activity and use the recording as vital evidence for future prosecutions. They also provide a deterrence by making announcements over the Public Announcement Speaker regarding trespass and illegal assemblies. Their efforts are significant in mitigating and prosecuting street racing activity.
● Real-Time Crime Center: The City of Anaheim has an opportunity to develop a Real- Time Crime Center. By utilizing the City’s existing traffic camera system managed by Public Works to monitor the flow of traffic, we would like to access and enhance the existing system for broader use. This will allow us to increase our capabilities in the prevention, intervention and suppression of crime; and aid in the investigation and apprehension of criminal offenders.
● Street Enforcement: Monthly street enforcement operations in 2022 have resulted in hundreds of street racing and related equipment violations. During directed enforcement Presentation on Street Racing and Takeovers, and Enforcement Update October 4, 2022
operations, officers identify the modified vehicles and flag them for State Referee inspections. These operations are in addition to standard daily patrol duties and often require overtime to conduct.
● Speed Feedback Signs: Portable speed feedback signs and portable video surveillance cameras are currently in use and help deter these activities by providing the Police Department with information to help target enforcement. Speed feedback signs measure an approaching vehicle’s speed, which is displayed to drivers on an electronic sign that flashes when vehicle speeds exceed the posted speed limit. They are used for motorist speed awareness and an attempt to reduce speeds. Speed feedback signs are typically mounted with speed limit signs and are often used in school zones, and have been proven effective at reducing vehicle speeds.
● Community Outreach: The Police Department uses community meetings and social media to educate the public and bring awareness of the dangers of street racing.
The Anaheim Police Department continues to explore new strategies including potentially enhancing the areas above and funding opportunities to do so.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
This report has no impact on the budget.
Respectfully submitted,
Jorge Cisneros
Chief of Police