Stiffer penalties for San Francisco sideshow participants

SAN FRANCISCO ( KRON ) — The San Francisco Police Department could get one extra tool to fight sideshows. Next week, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors will take the final vote on approving new penalties for participants.

According to the proposed law that passed its first hurdle Tuesday night when the board voted on it, the police department would be allowed to impound the drivers’ cars for up to 30 days and permanently keep it if convicted. The same would go for spectators or anyone who blocks access for police officers to get to the scene of a sideshow.

The proposed law is lockstep with what California Governor Gavin Newsom signed on Monday which strengthens the laws to go after sideshows across the state.

If passed, SFPD can quickly move in. The department is already using automated license plate readers which allow arrests to be made after sideshows end and impound the involved vehicles.

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