Police officers in the liberal cesspool of Los Angeles are apparently fed up with criminals running amok in the City of Angels. The Los Angeles Police Department made a pretty big statement about street takeovers during an incident where over 150 officers were deployed to a lawless meet up in a residential area of the city around 2 a.m. on September 5.
A total of 69 arrests were made, a whopping 570 citations issued, and over 200 vehicles impounded. Among the items confiscated were seven firearms. All of this action was part of what the LAPD referred to as “Operation Street Sweeper” which unfolded in the Harbor Gateway area of South L.A. The police rolled into the area with buses and an entire fleet of tow trucks, raining on the parade of the 700 people in the crowd.
The operation is one of the most robust responses in the country to the trend of dangerous takeovers that have come to be known as “sideshows,” which have plagued not only the streets of Los Angeles, but other major cities across the country. These events began popping up during the height of the COVID pandemic and have been difficult for law enforcement to prevent.
According to a report from Breitbart News, on September 5, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell announced the results of the operation, saying that advanced drone technology helped law enforcement to predict the locations of four separate takeovers that then morphed into one gigantic scene at South Figueroa Street and West Alondra Boulevard.
The events, which are organized online, are pure chaos. Many of them feature cars spinning in circles inside dangerously close crowds that surround an intersection, meanwhile, smoke bombs, fireworks, and lasers are also deployed to help create a dystopian looking atmosphere. Much of the event is captured on video and posted to social media. Sometimes there is looting of local businesses as well.
According to a report from an ABC affiliate, McDonnell revealed that 66 individuals were taken into custody for participating in or aiding in a street race or takeover. Three other arrests were made: one for assaulting a police officer, one for battery, and one for obstructing or interfering with officers. Along with the arrests, a total of 570 citations were issued.
Out of those citations 442 were given for being a spectator at a speed contest or exhibition of speed. Another 128 citations were given to juveniles out past curfew, which in Los Angeles is 10 p.m. The youngest person in attendance at the event was 11 years old. During the operation, one of the vehicles that they impounded caught on fire.
"*" indicates required fields
“This is not harmless fun. This is criminal behavior. Your children are participating in an active crime scene where they are lawfully subject to immediate arrest and exposed to harm,” McDonnell went on to say. “Parents — know where your kids are. Watch out for them and have serious talks with them about what they are dealing with here… one single reckless decision can ruin or take their life.” He then warned, “This morning was only the beginning. If you’re there, we’re going to be there, too.”
Featured Image: screenshot from embedded video