Council to consider proposal to crack down on illegal street racers

INDIANAPOLIS — City County Council Proposal 314, to be introduced at Monday night’s full meeting and referred to committee, cracks down on illegal racers who take over city streets, spin out of control and even attack police officers.

”Those who drive those cars and commit those type of crimes on our streets, their vehicles will be removed from them for at least 30 days,” said proposal co-sponsor Councilor Leroy Robinson. “That’s the start of the proposal. 30 days for that. Then those that are involved in those incidents, whether it’s promoting, spectating, they also could be fined as well.”

Fines of $100 to $250 could be leveled at starters, flag wavers and even passengers in cars involved in street racing, reckless driving or spinning.

”I spoke to the chief this morning and they know who most of these folks are. It’s a small group of individuals that are driving these cars,” said Robinson after conferring with IMPD Chief Chris Bailey. ”The drivers, like most crimes, they know who they are, and we believe if we take their cars from them and impede their way of life, getting to work, going to school, driving their families around, that will help them change their minds.”

Seizure of the vehicles would be similar to the civil forfeiture process investigators and prosecutors use to take the assets of suspected drug dealers without necessarily filing formal charges or waiting for the results of a court trial.

”If officers are on the scene, and you are driving a vehicle, you are spinning, you’re racing, or doing things that are illegal, reckless driving, injuring people, our officers will take your car automatically on the spot prior to any type of adjudication in a courtroom, yes,” said Robinson.

Over this past weekend, IMPD and ISP launched a crackdown blitz on dangerous drivers resulting in seven arrests, 40 tickets, the towing of four vehicles and the seizure of two firearms.

The weekend before officers came under attack and their cars damaged by persons of the illegal racing community resulting in several arrests.

Despite IMPD’s warning, members of that community struck back at officers on social media, challenging law enforcement’s attempts to shut down the illegal driving practices.

Robinson said the council is committed to providing IMPD the necessary funding to continue the crackdown indefinitely in order to break the back of this dangerous street racing trend.

Mayor Joe Hogsett expressed his support for the proposal in a statement sent to FOX59/CBS4 Monday night.

We all have a role to play to keep our streets and neighborhoods safe – but the women and men of IMPD are on the frontlines every day, putting their safety on the line to protect all of ours. The violence we have seen over recent weekends toward these public servants is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

I’m proud to support City-County Council Proposal 314, which gives officers more tools to hold those participating in dangerous ‘street takeovers’ accountable and helps make Indianapolis a safer city for all. I urge the City-County Council to swiftly send this proposal to my desk for signature and continue to support our public safety officers.

Joe Hogsett

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