INDIANAPOLIS — On Monday, councilors are set to introduce a proposal to fight back against street takeovers, after police vehicles were damaged trying to break up the events.
Proposal No. 314 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 meeting of the full City-County Council is scheduled for Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. The ordinance is on the agenda.
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.