SF legislation proposed to combat chaotic sideshows

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — San Francisco Mayor London Breed introduced new legislation that she said will crack down on sideshows and hold those responsible more accountable. The mayor was joined by members of law enforcement, including California Highway Patrol (CHP), the San Francisco County Sheriff’s Office and the San Francisco Police Department, at a news conference Friday.

Mayor Breed plans on increasing the penalties for those participating in sideshows, as well as change the rules regarding seizing vehicles involved. If approved by the board of supervisors, the laws could go into effect as early as next month.

Breed’s legislation has four key parts. First, it would make it illegal to promote and participate in assembling a sideshow. Also, cars blocking streets will face criminal penalties and it will be illegal to stop officers from trying to stop a sideshow in progress. “You’re there in any way, this means cars that obstruct the streets to set up for sideshows will also face criminal penalties,” said the mayor.

Lastly, the law will extend the amount of time a participating car can be seized. Right now, it’s 30 days, but the mayor wants to extend that time and make it so if convicted the car can be sized permanently. “We welcome the opportunity for people to ride the streets of San Francisco safely, but when you start crossing those lines, we will take action and we will be aggressive,” warned Breed.

SFPD Chief Bill Scott said that 67 cars have been seized so far by the city and recognized the frustration felt by residents who say police aren’t doing enough. He listed the dangers that responding police officers face, such as lasers pointed at their eyes, fireworks, shootings and even murders have been reported at the scene of sideshows.

“They’re on our bridges, they’re on our freeways and the bottom line is everywhere these events occur, there’s a tremendous danger to the public and to our officers who are responding to break up these sideshows and arrest the violators,” Chief Scott told KRON4 News. “So we have to put a stop to this, we have to curb this and we have to deter people from doing these types of activities.”

Chief Scott said a lot of work is being done by investors on the backend who can use technology, such as drones to license plate readers to identify suspects and vehicles involved. He also stressed the importance of the public’s help, saying if anyone sees a sideshow assembling, they should call the non-emergency line 311 to report it. If anyone sees a sideshow with dangerous activity going on, such as shooting and fireworks, they are asked to call 911 to report it.

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