OAKLAND -- Mayor Jerry Brown lost an emotional debate before the Oakland City Council early Wednesday when a new law he was proposing to allow police to levy a fine on spectators at illegal sideshows was narrowly defeated.
By a vote of 4-3 with one member abstaining, Brown's proposal was referred back to the Public Safety Commission.
"Sideshows are about drugs, about danger, about risks," Brown emotionally pleaded with the council before the 1:30 a.m. vote. "The city, with all its challenges and problems, is not obligated to find entertainment for people who want to go out and destroy the tranquility of the honest citizens of Oakland."
Brown's passion was matched by many opponents to the ordinance in the crowd.
"This ordinance is going to lead to more injuries and deaths on the streets of Oakland," an unidentified opponent told the panel. "When the police show up, every spectator is going to frantically leave the scene."
Over the past several months, at least eight people have died in sideshow-related shootings or collisions and thousands have been arrested. And despite additional policing, help from the California Highway Patrol and campaigns to heighten neighborhood awareness of the dangers, the sideshow have continues.
Brown wanted to add a weapon to Oakland's arsenal to stop sideshow by making mere attendance at the reckless driving exhibitions a criminal offense. If it would have passed Oakland would have become the first city in the state with such an ordinance. It would have gone into effect at the end of the month had it passed at a second reading
Under the ordinance, sideshow spectators would be fined $500 for their first offense and $1,000 after that.
Speaking at an earlier news conference, Brown said he also wanted to see those convicted of sideshow-related crimes placed under a curfew and banned from driving at night while on probation or parole.
Brown said that over the last 15 years, "People have taken over the streets of Oakland, wreaked havoc on the neighborhoods, destroying people's peace and tranquility, all in the name of having some fun."
Sideshows are activities in which youths take over streets in Oakland late at night on weekends so drivers can engage in illegal activities such as doing "donuts," where they spin around in circles at high speeds.
Deputy Chief Pete Dunbar said at least 25 percent of the people who participate in sideshows are from outside of Oakland.
They coordinate where to stage the sideshows by talking on their cell phones, then they block off intersections so drivers can engage in stunts meant to impress their girlfriends, he said.
Dunbar said, "It's a criminal atmosphere" in which people are assaulted and robbed and cars are vandalized.
He support the ordinance because he believed the crowds at the sideshows will decrease if participants have to spend time in jail.
"We want to make it uncomfortable for people to tear up our city," Dunbar said.
By a vote of 4-3 with one member abstaining, Brown's proposal was referred back to the Public Safety Commission.
"Sideshows are about drugs, about danger, about risks," Brown emotionally pleaded with the council before the 1:30 a.m. vote. "The city, with all its challenges and problems, is not obligated to find entertainment for people who want to go out and destroy the tranquility of the honest citizens of Oakland."
Brown's passion was matched by many opponents to the ordinance in the crowd.
"This ordinance is going to lead to more injuries and deaths on the streets of Oakland," an unidentified opponent told the panel. "When the police show up, every spectator is going to frantically leave the scene."
Over the past several months, at least eight people have died in sideshow-related shootings or collisions and thousands have been arrested. And despite additional policing, help from the California Highway Patrol and campaigns to heighten neighborhood awareness of the dangers, the sideshow have continues.
Brown wanted to add a weapon to Oakland's arsenal to stop sideshow by making mere attendance at the reckless driving exhibitions a criminal offense. If it would have passed Oakland would have become the first city in the state with such an ordinance. It would have gone into effect at the end of the month had it passed at a second reading
Under the ordinance, sideshow spectators would be fined $500 for their first offense and $1,000 after that.
Speaking at an earlier news conference, Brown said he also wanted to see those convicted of sideshow-related crimes placed under a curfew and banned from driving at night while on probation or parole.
Brown said that over the last 15 years, "People have taken over the streets of Oakland, wreaked havoc on the neighborhoods, destroying people's peace and tranquility, all in the name of having some fun."
Sideshows are activities in which youths take over streets in Oakland late at night on weekends so drivers can engage in illegal activities such as doing "donuts," where they spin around in circles at high speeds.
Deputy Chief Pete Dunbar said at least 25 percent of the people who participate in sideshows are from outside of Oakland.
They coordinate where to stage the sideshows by talking on their cell phones, then they block off intersections so drivers can engage in stunts meant to impress their girlfriends, he said.
Dunbar said, "It's a criminal atmosphere" in which people are assaulted and robbed and cars are vandalized.
He support the ordinance because he believed the crowds at the sideshows will decrease if participants have to spend time in jail.
"We want to make it uncomfortable for people to tear up our city," Dunbar said.
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