HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 10571INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10571
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council April 13, 2021
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SUBJECT: STREET RACING ORDINANCE
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
The purpose of this Informal Report is to update City Council on a proposed amendment to the city
ordinance to help broaden our enforcement efforts to address the street racing issues in the City of Fort
Worth. The proposed amendment will enhance our ability to address street racing and reckless driving
exhibitions in order to help curb this illegal activity.
Since November 2019, the Fort Worth Police Department has received approximately 2,500 calls related to
street racing or reckless driving exhibitions from citizens all over the City. While the Texas Transportation
Code makes street racing and reckless driving illegal and provides punishment for persons engaged in those
activities, there is currently no statute prohibiting the gathering of spectators at those illegal events or
prohibiting persons from aiding those events on property they own, operate, or control, or the preparation
of the events. In most cases, street races attract spectators, whose presence encourages the illegal events
and creates an environment in which street racing can flourish. And, as a result, street racing not only
endangers the lives of the persons illegally racing, but also endangers the general public and racing
spectators.
Adoption of this ordinance will prohibit the gathering of spectators at these illegal events and prohibit
persons from aiding these events on property they own, operate, or control, or the preparation thereof
within the corporate limits of the City of Fort Worth. The violations will be misdemeanors, and upon
conviction a fine of up to $500.00 will be assessed. An action item to amend the current ordinance will be
on the April 20th City Council agenda.
If you have any questions please contact Benjamin Sampract, Sr. Assistant City Attorney at 817-392-7617
or Benjamin.Sampract@fortworthtexas.gov or Assistant Chief Robert Alldredge at 817-392-4131 or
Robert.Alldredge@fortworthtexas.gov.
David Cooke
City Manager