Dozens of arrests and hundreds of citations at street takeover crackdown, including an 11 year-old

Saturday’s massive crackdown on a street takeover in the Harbor Gateway area is “only the beginning,” according to LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, who said more similar operations will take place if needed to stem the disturbing rise in illegal vehicle gatherings.

According to LAPD “Operation Street Sweeper” started at around 2 a.m. on Saturday at the intersection of South Figueroa Street and West Alondra Boulevard, according to an LAPD spokesperson. A task force that included more than 150 LAPD officers and counterparts from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and California Highway Patrol issued hundreds of citations, arrested 66 people and impounded hundreds of vehicles.

Among the arrests in a crowd estimated at over 700 people was one for suspicion of assault on a police officer, one for suspicion of battery and one on suspicion of obstructing or interfering with an arrest, McDonnell said.

Some 570 citations were issued, with 442 people cited for being a spectator at a speed contest, and 128 juveniles between the ages of 11 and 17 for curfew violations. Seven firearms were seized and an undisclosed amount of nitrous oxide was recovered, police said.

More than 200 vehicles were impounded. Some were stolen, some were rented and some were borrowed from unknowing parents, according to McDonnell.

“Nobody's going to do that with their own vehicle,'' he said.

McDonnell urged parents to “Know where your kids are. One single reckless decision can ruin their life.” He added, “This is not harmless fun. This is criminal behavior.''

The chief also promised that “This is not a one-off.” 

He said officers would swarm more takeovers as short staffing allowed, making more arrests and seizing more vehicles, which he would like to see crushed.

More operations to stop street takeovers are planned

Some media outlets reported a chaotic scene as police arrived early Saturday, with people climbing fences and running into yards to evade authorities and some vehicles crashing into each other in an attempt to flee.

“Officers shut down the intersection and made sure folks couldn't escape. They have confiscated or are impounding the cars with the official police car garages. Individuals who were driving were booked -- other folks were cited,” said Councilman Tim McOsker, who represents the area. “ ... We have an apartment building just right around the corner and we have good families and folks who are trying to live their lives. Every single weekend this intersection was taken over by this illegal racing,''

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass praised the operation.

“Let me be clear: There is zero tolerance for illegal street racing and street takeovers in Los Angeles,'' she said. “These are inherently dangerous and put the lives of drivers, spectators and innocent bystanders at risk. We will continue to prioritize prevention, deterrence and enforcement to protect Angelenos, businesses and neighborhoods and ensure those involved face consequences.”

She promised to keep the pressure on street takeovers.

The illegal gatherings have plagued the county for the last few years but have increased markedly in recent weeks, with some takeovers leading to robberies of nearby retail stores. Until recently, most of the takeovers resulted in no arrests, as participants and spectators scatter when police arrive.

Last month, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) detailed measures it has launched to combat the wave of street takeovers and associated crimes, stating that it was working to “identify and hold organizers and participants accountable through arrests, vehicle impounds, citations and criminal prosecution.”