Portland police announce looming crackdown on street racing scofflaws

Street racing

Street racers gather the evening of Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018, in the parking lot of the Goodwill on Northeast Marine Drive and 122nd Avenue in Portland, Ore. Across America, police are confronting illegal drag racing whose popularity has surged since the coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns began. Drivers have blocked off roads to race and to etch donut patterns on pavement with the tires of their souped-up cars.Anna Spoerre /The Oregonian via AP

Portland police say they will finally try to stop illegal street racers in their tracks by teaming up with state and local law enforcement.

The announcement came Saturday in a video featuring Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell, who lambasted the bands of scofflaws that routinely take over roads, bridges and intersections across the city to burn rubber and spin circles.

The events often draw hundreds of spectators and can shut down thoroughfares to other motorists for hours. Sometimes they turn deadly.

“Street racing has taken lives, generated countless complaints, created fear in our community, and undoubtedly cost lost revenue and wages to innocent people,” Lovell said.

Last month, the Portland City Council enacted harsher penalties for people who take part in such so-called “street takeovers.”

The new ordinance imposes a maximum 6-month jail sentence and a $500 fine for each violation, unless it’s a person’s first offense. In that case, offenders can participate in a diversion program approved by the district attorney.

However, Portland police had said they are unlikely to enforce the measure because they usually don’t have enough officers on patrol to safely break up the large, volatile gatherings.

But the bureau and the chief said Saturday that the Oregon State Police and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office had agreed to pitch in with enough reinforcements to crack down on the scofflaws.

“Those participating have taken advantage of the bureau’s staffing situation, understanding these events require many officers to respond,” Lovell said. “Those participating in street racing must stop.”

-- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh; 503-294-7632

Email at skavanaugh@oregonian.com

Follow on Twitter @shanedkavanaugh

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