Sideshow law Near Reinstatement/Sideshow Violence Erupts

[djsincere510]

Sideshow law near reinstatement
Oakland-sponsored street-racing bill on legislative fast track
Article Last Updated: 09/01/2007 02:40:20 AM PDT

SACRAMENTO — A bill reinstating a law police used to curb dangerous sideshow car antics and races statewide is a quick vote from heading to Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneggers desk. The state Assembly late Thursday approved the measure 71-0, sending it to the Senate for consideration of minor amendments next week.
Senate Bill 67, by Sen. Don Perata, D-Oakland, would allow law enforcement to impound cars for up to 30 days that are used in sideshows — where drivers perform various stunts, including spinning cars in circles until the tires smoke.
Oakland easily won adoption of the original 2002 law, backed by the League of California Cities and several statewide law enforcement groups. But the city unintentionally allowed the law to lapse on Jan. 1, requiring new legislation.
Schwarzenegger has not taken a position on SB67, but supporters expect him to sign it. The urgent measure, requiring a two-thirds vote of lawmakers, means the bill would take effect immediately upon the governors signature.

The governor also has been sympathetic toward Oaklands efforts to quell gang violence — which can spring from sideshows. Earlier this month, at the request of Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, Schwarzenegger ordered a small California Highway Patrol anti-gang task force into Oakland to aid in a surge of crime.
Though the original law, sponsored by the city of Oakland, was highly successful, legislative aides said city officials failed to provide the necessary proof of its effectiveness in time to prevent the 2002 measures built-in sunset at the end of last year. This legislation is an important tool for law enforcement, Perata said. Sideshows and other car stunts put lives in danger and disrupt neighborhoods.
The bill contains safeguards for car owners who were neither driving nor a passenger in the car at the time of the violation, or were unaware that the vehicle was being used in a sideshow.
The reinstated law would again be named the UKendra K. Johnson Memorial Act, after a 22-year-old Oakland woman who was killed in 2002. A suspected sideshow participant being pursued by police crashed into the car in which Johnson was riding.

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Deadly Violence At Oakland Sideshow Ground Zero

POSTED: 11:06 am PDT September 1, 2007


OAKLAND -- A man was killed early Saturday when a sideshow at ground zero for the illegal gatherings -- the Oakland intersection of 90th and Bancroft -- reeled out of control on a night when officers were overwhelmed by several violent outbreaks.

Sgt. Jill Encinas said there may have been as many as eight sideshow-related shooting overnight in the small area of Oakland."We had a fatal shooting at 90th and Bancroft, a shooting at 88th and MacArthur where the victim is in stable condition, a shooting at 79th Ave and Rudsdale and there were 5 walk-ins (at local hospitals) all related to sideshows," she said. Encinas said the fatal shooting took place 2:24 a.m. when a car carrying three people came under fire from a white van. Bullets riddled the car, but the occupants were able to drive it several blocks to the fatally wounded victim's home.A family party was in progress and emotional relatives streamed out and began giving the blood-covered victim CPR."They were able to drive to the family home on 94th and Peach and family members called police and an ambulance," Encinas said. "When officers arrived, there was a big crowd."Encinas said it was a scene happening all too often."Every weekend we have the same problem," she said. "Sideshow cars come out here -- mostly not from Oakland -- and create hit-and-runs and shootings…On Friday's we don't have a sideshow detail so all these cars come out and there is only my squad and District 5 squad which is 10-16 officers to deal with the crazy drivers.""They are causing a lot of havoc and damage…They think it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt."Encinas said her area is ground zero for sideshows."The main trouble spot is 90th and Bancroft," she said.

"But they go up to 90th and MacArthur and run the whole gamut all the way to High and Foothill. There are tons of accidents -- tons of shooting happening every weekend."

Don Perate batting for the citizens of Oakland Rush's to the state capital to re-instate a (dec,21,06)Expired Sideshow Law..While sideshow related violence erupts on the streets of oakland,ca September 1st 2007 begining the opening of the Labor Day weekend.

 

[djsincere510]

Police regain tool against sideshows

Governor signs bill effective immediately allowing impoundment of cars used in dangerous stunts

Article Last Updated: 10/15/2007 02:38:41 AM PDT
SACRAMENTO — Ending an accidental lapse, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sunday signed a bill that immediately reinstated a law cops use to punish potentially deadly sideshow car pranks and races across California. Oakland easily won adoption of the original 2002 law, backed by the League of California Cities and several statewide law enforcement groups. But the city unintentionally allowed the law to drop off the books on Jan. 1, requiring new legislation.

Senate Bill 67, by Sen. Don Perata, D-Oakland, allows law enforcement officers to impound cars that are used in sideshows — where drivers perform various stunts, including spinning cars in circles until squealing tires smoke. The impoundment, for up to 30 days, is at the owner's expense.
Perata's bill contained an "urgency" provision, which required a two-thirds vote of lawmakers, and means the bill took effect immediately upon the governor's signature Sunday night. "This legislation is an important tool for law enforcement," Perata said."Sideshows and other car stunts put lives in danger and disrupt neighborhoods."

The bill contains safeguards for car owners who were neither driving nor a passenger in the car at the time of the violation, or were unaware that the vehicle was being used in a sideshow. The reinstated law has again been named the U'Kendra K. Johnson Memorial Act, after a 22-year-old Oakland woman who was killed in 2002. A suspected sideshow participant being pursued by police crashed into the car in which Johnson was riding.

 

[Bellboy184]

Good articles thanks. Oakland is a warzone.

 

[Handz]

WoW