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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5. Enforcement of Street Racing OrdinanceStreet Racing Assistant Chief Robert Alldredge Fort Worth Police Department Street Racing Four Primary Offenses Used to Address Street Racing/Hot-rodding Complaints: Sec. 545.401. RECKLESS DRIVING (Transportation Code) (a) A person commits an offense if the person drives a vehicle in a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. (b) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by: (1) A fine not to exceed $200; (2) Confinement in county jail for not more than 30 days; or (3) Both the fine and the confinement. 2 Sec. 545.420. RACING ON HIGHWAY (Transportation Code) (a) A person may not participate in any manner in: (1) A race; (2) A vehicle speed competition of contest; (3) A drag race or acceleration contest; (4) A test of physical endurance of the operator of a vehicle; or (5) In connection with a drag race, an exhibition of vehicle speed or acceleration or to make a vehicle speed record. (d) An offense under Subsection (a) is a Class B misdemeanor. (up to 6 months in jail and/or $2,000 fine) “Racing on Highway” calls may be aggravated to a Class A misdemeanor if the person was previously convicted once, operating the vehicle while intoxicated, or had an open container in the vehicle. It can further be aggravated to a state jail felony if the person had previously been convicted twice. As well, it can be aggravated to a felony of the third degree if a person suffered bodily injury and a felony of the second degree if a person suffered serious bodily injury or death. 3 Ordinance No. 20191-2012 –Section 1 (d) Noise Prohibited (1) In addition to the other noise restrictions in this Section, no person shall make, cause, suffer, allow or permit unreasonable noise in such a manner, or with such volume, intensity or duration, so as to disturb a reasonable person of ordinary sensibilities. A decibel level shall not be required for the enforcement of this subsection. (2) This subsection is intended to apply to, but is not limited to, unreasonable noises in the form of: g. Operation of motor vehicles. The revving of any engine, the playing of any music with such volume or bass, or the operation of any vehicle so out of repair, so loaded or in such manner as to create loud or unnecessary grating, grinding, jarring, rattling, or squealing noise or vibrations. 4 Fort Worth City Ordinance Section 22-362 (a)In general. It shall be unlawful for any person to be present as a spectator: (1) At a street race conducted on a public street or highway; (2) At a reckless driving exhibition conducted on a public street, highway, or off-street parking facility; (3) Where preparations are being made for a street race conducted on a public street or highway; or (4) Where preparations are being made for a reckless driving exhibition conducted on a public street, highway, or in an off-street parking facility. Exemption. Nothing in this section prohibits law enforcement officers or their agents who are acting in the course of their official duties, or media or news personnel who are reporting on the event, from being spectators at a street race or reckless driving exhibition or spectators at the location of preparations for either of these activities. Additionally, nothing in this section shall prohibit spectators from attending properly sanctioned, licensed, or legally authorized racing events conducted pursuant to city or state regulations. 5 NEW CITY ORDINANCE-Approved April 20, 2021 Scope of the Issue Most calls made by the citizens as “racing” are better described as “hot rodding” (loud engines, squealing of tires, heavy acceleration, etc.) rather than “racing” (contests of speed). From January 1, 2021 through April 29, 2021, the Fort Worth Police Department has received over 800 hot rodding calls all over the city; hence; the issue is city-wide. •South Division –206 calls •Northwest Division –169 calls •East Division –136 calls •North Division –169 calls •Central Division –139 calls •West Division –77 calls 6 7 Council District Cases Percent of Total 2 1 11 % 3 0 0 % 4 2 22 % 6 1 11 % 7 0 0 % 8 0 0 % 9 5 56 % Excessive Noise January 1, 2021 through April 29, 2021 Year Total 2018 11 2019 37 2020 24 2021 9 Total 81 Divisional Issues and Strategies Used to Address the Problem 8 South •Used unmarked vehicles and were able to make an arrest and suspect case few cases for racing •It is nearly impossible for marked units to get anywhere close because they use social media to spread the news instantaneously and fled before we could get anywhere close to view the racing in progress •Our NPOs are working few nights a week to monitor the area for racing problems •We placed an electronic display sign equipped with LIDAR on Risinger Road with limited success •We have placed a marked patrol car in that area for visibility and to deter racers from gathering •Many racing incidents in south are impromptu 2 car incidents. Not may meet up events •We have installed cameras that have been placed around the areas to be monitored by RTCC •The new ordinance will allow officers to detain, identify, and cite spectators to curb the activity Divisional Issues and Strategies Used to Address the Problem 9 East •Used unmarked vehicles and were able to make an arrest and suspect case few cases for racing •Our NPOs are working few nights a week to monitor the area for racing problems •SRT has been used an specific details to address racing issues •We have installed cameras that have been placed around the areas to be monitored by RTCC •The new ordinance will allow officers to detain, identify, and cite spectators to curb the activity Divisional Issues and Strategies Used to Address the Problem 10 Central •I-35 is a main area for Racing/Hotrodding •Deployed the Skywatch to certain locations to curb activity •Utilized NPOs and SRT for enforcement efforts •Conducted multiple details at various times •The new ordinance will allow officers to detain, identify, and cite spectators to curb the activity Divisional Issues and Strategies Used to Address the Problem 11 North •Group gatherings in parking lots for burnouts and other reckless driving previously have been handled by attempting to contact a representatives for Criminal Trespass purposes, but addressed on view violations such as reckless driving etc. •Group spectators tend to leave upon officer arrival and officers look for on view violations as they leave. •Undercover cars have been used and cameras placed/monitored in hotspot locations. •The new ordinance will allow officers to detain, identify, and cite spectators to curb the activity. Divisional Issues and Strategies Used to Address the Problem 12 Northwest •Conducted details to address racing/reckless driving in specific areas. For example, Rockwood Park •Installed cameras in areas street racing is known to occur •Partnered with a business where street racing was occurring.They allowed us to put up a camera on the building so we could monitor the lot remotely.We also recommended speed calming measures •Worked the Parks Department to put up speed bumps in the park •We have a policy in our division that every time we pull over a street racer/ reckless driver.We tow the vehicle if we have the legal authority to do so Divisional Issues and Strategies Used to Address the Problem 13 West •Utilized NPOs and SRT for enforcement efforts •Identified normal hot spot areas and had officers in place before the event so illegal activity could be discouraged •Saturate problem areas with officers and proactive enforcement for all traffic violations with these actors •The new ordinance will allow officers to detain, identify, and cite spectators to curb the activity Challenges For Law Enforcement •The overabundance of areas to race/speed in the City of Fort Worth •The suspects and vehicles are no longer on scene when officers arrive at the call location •Many of the groups that race have transitioned to social media sites that are private, so the information about their racing activities are hard to monitor •There is no pattern or trend for some racing activity •Racing groups are highly mobile and can move from one location to another easily •Many racers send out scouts before actually racing to determine if law enforcement is in the area •Racers are constantly changing their tactics depending on the police response 14 Additional Strategies to Address the Problem •Continue to install pole cameras in identified hot spot locations •Use mobile speed radar/license plate reader trailers in hot spot locations •Continue to identify and monitor social media sites specifically for racing •Use Public Service Announcements to warn the citizens about the dangers of racing •Keep in contact with our regional partners and working group to keep updated on issues they face and strategies that have worked •Continue to work with TPW on long term traffic calming solutions •With the new ordinance, we can cite spectators if they can be identified on camera •The new ordinance will be a valuable tool for officers to address racing/reckless driving 15 Thank you Questions?