INDIANAPOLIS — On Monday, Proposal 314 was introduced to the City-County Council to curb illegal street takeovers and spinning events in Indianapolis.
The proposal would impose a penalty on anyone who planned, participated in, or attended "an illegal street racing, motorcycle stunting or reckless driving exhibition."
IMPD says hundreds of cars participated in at least five street takeovers on Sept. 15-16. Surveillance video shows people setting the road on fire and doing donuts around it.
Under the proposal, planners and participants would face up to $250 in fines. Spectators could be fined up to $100.
Cars used in street takeovers would also be impounded for at least 30 days. According to the ordinance:
"The purpose of such impoundment and holding period is because such vehicles pose a potential hazard to public safety by virtue of their use in an illegal street racing and/or reckless driving exhibition..."
The impound isn’t just inconvenient, it also comes with a hefty price.
13News did the math.
First, the tow fee in Indianapolis can be as expensive as $150. You’ll also need to pay a daily impound rate of $30, which starts accruing 24 hours after the car is placed in storage. There are also fees for fuel, cleaning and damage.
So, for 30 days the bill would be at least $1,000 and probably much more. Plus, if owners aren’t careful their car could be auctioned off.
The city’s impound lot is operated by AutoReturn.
"It's unacceptable that kind of behavior is taking place in our community today in 2024,” said Councilor Leroy Robinson, who sponsored the proposal. “Taking that vehicle from them will hopefully make them see things differently."
Indianapolis city leaders reacted to the council's action on the proposal after Monday's meeting.
Statement from IMPD Chief Chris Bailey:
“This is a significant step toward ensuring the safety of our streets and the well-being of our community. It will empower our officers to effectively address reckless driving and street-takeover activities that endanger lives and property. I also want to extend my gratitude to the city-county councilors for their support in making this possible.”
Statement from Mayor Joe Hogsett:
"We all have a role to play to keep our streets and neighborhoods safe - but the women and men of IMPD are on the frontlines every day, putting their safety on the line to protect all of ours. The violence we have seen over recent weekends toward these public servants is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
I'm proud to support City-County Council Proposal 314, which gives officers more tools to hold those participating in dangerous 'street takeovers' accountable and helps make Indianapolis a safer city for all. I urge the City-County Council to swiftly send this proposal to my desk for signature and continue to support our public safety officers."
The proposal will now go to the Public Safety and Criminal Justice committee, which is set to meet on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 5:30 p.m.
Mid-September Mayhem
The ordinance comes less than a week after IMPD and Indiana State Police were met with violent crowds when they tried to break up street takeovers in Indianapolis on Sept. 15-16.
Police reported that the windshield of police cruisers were smashed with baseball bats, and crowds threw cans of gasoline at them. At one scene, a circle of gasoline was lit on fire in the middle of an intersection.
"Our officers responded to calls regarding street takeovers and spinning, and in doing so, they were met with violence," Bailey said. "Let me be clear: we will not tolerate any behavior that puts officer safety or the safety of our community at risk."
Nine people were arrested and charged after the street takeovers. No police officers were hurt.
Indiana State Police is also supporting IMPD with investigations and response. ISP has worked with IMPD on this problem for several years.
Since March 2023, state police have recovered more than 100 stolen vehicles and made more than 40 arrests in relation to these street takeover incidents.
In 2023, the department also advocated at the Statehouse for Senate Bill 240, but it did not pass. The bill would have increased the penalties for those caught “spinning” or participating in a “street takeover” or fleeing from officers.
Nationwide issue
Indianapolis isn't the only city dealing with street takeovers. They started in California but spread nationwide after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Louisville is took an approach similar to the new ordinance.
"Fortunately, here in Louisville, we have a Metro Council that acted quickly to provide us an ordinance to help combat that crime,” said Sgt. Matt Sanders with the Louisville Metro Police Department.
The ordinance allows the police department to seize vehicles involved in takeovers for up to six months, along with a $1,000 fine.
Sanders said street takeovers and exhibitions remain a problem in Louisville, however, not to the same extent as other cities their size. This month, the department has seized about 25 cars that will remain in their impound lot until March 2025.
"The fines and the points on the driver's license really wasn't getting it done, but taking somebody's prized possession for six months and accompanying it with a $1,000 fine, we have seen some dramatic results from it, and it stings, and it's working here in Louisville,” Sanders said.