The Portland City Council Examines a Plan to Curb Street "Sliding"

[mahatmakanejeeves]

The draft of the ordinance and code provision, obtained by WW, proposes that City Council approve two different misdemeanor offenses for participating in such events: unlawful street takeover and unlawful staging of a street takeover event.

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The Portland City Council Examines a Plan to Curb Street “Sliding”

A draft ordinance proposes that City Council approve two different misdemeanor offenses for participating in such events.

By Sophie Peel | Published August 4 at 5:30 AM Updated August 4 at 7:32 AM

Portland city officials have drafted an ordinance that would increase the criminal penalties for street “sliding,” as weekly contests of souped-up cars burning rubber in circles draw crowds of hundreds, block city intersections, and alarm business owners in industrial neighborhoods.

THE ORDINANCE

Sam Adams, director of strategic innovations for Mayor Ted Wheeler, tells WW the draft ordinance would “increase the sanctions for this kind of dangerous driving on public streets.”

“Large unpermitted street racing events involving high speed and at times pedestrian onlookers have grown in number and size across the city,” Adams says. “We have a draft of an ordinance in front of the City Council for them to comment on. We want to have it at the City Council when folks come back from their time off.”

The draft of the ordinance and code provision, obtained by WW, proposes that City Council approve two different misdemeanor offenses for participating in such events: unlawful street takeover and unlawful staging of a street takeover event.

It reads: “A person commits the offense of an Unlawful Street Takeover if, in a public place or upon a highway, the person knowingly operates a motor vehicle while engaged in an unlawful street takeover event.”

The draft proposes that the penalty be up to six months in prison and a fine up to $500—but gives first-time offenders the choice to go through a diversion program instead, if approved by the Multnomah County district attorney.

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[Walleye]

1. While they're at it, could they outlaw men and body armor pointing machine guns at pedestrians?

[MichMan]

2. They currently don't have any ordinances regarding street racing and exhibitions of speed ?

Need to start impounding cars instead of tickets.

A friend was killed last year when he was struck in a parking lot by someone losing control while doing a burnout. Even though she killed him and fled the scene, she just got sentenced to a only a year in jail.

[MichMan]

3. Need to follow Colorado's lead

AURORA | A trio of Aurora City Council members on Thursday granted an initial thumbs up to a proposal that could allow Aurora police to seize residents’ cars believed to be repeatedly involved in illegal street racing activities.

The so-called “vehicular public nuisances ordinance” would permit a court to issue a temporary restraining order against any car owner and lien holder, stripping them of their vehicles if they’re found to be involved in a slew of traffic infractions, including vehicular eluding, obstructing a highway, reckless driving, engaging in a speed contest and trespassing, among others.

Authorities could then hold a resident’s car for up to one year while storage and tow fees accrue, according to the measure’s proposed language. If an owner fails to pay the fees within 60 days of a final court judgement, the vehicle could be deemed abandoned and destroyed.

But before such actions occur, police will notify owners that their cars have been involved in the aforementioned traffic infractions, giving them a chance to remedy the issue prior to any litigation.





https://sentinelcolorado.com/orecent-headlines/aurora-city-council-introduces-ordinance-targeting-cars-used-in-street-racing/

[mahatmakanejeeves]

4. I'm not too keen on the unlimited penalty aspect of the ordinance.

OTOH I can do without the street racing. Something's got to work.

Thanks.