What happened
to the ordinance against street racers?
June 5th
Dear Bill:
Could you tell me if SB 1489, introduced by Councilmember Greuel
last August to increase fines and penalties for street racers,
was passed?
Thanks.
Ken Peak
Professor,
Department of Criminal Justice
University of Nevada, Reno
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reply: from Bill Murray - LACP.org - LA Community Policing
Re: What happened to the ordinance against street racers?
Dear Ken:
Thank you
for writing to LA Community Policing through our "Ask
Bill" column and for giving me this opportunity to serve
you.
Ms. Wendy
Greuel is a member of LA's City Council, representing District
2, and you'd asked about "SB 1489" --
a bill introduced in the California State Senate.
I recalled
Ms. Greuel's efforts well, as I'd written about it at LACP
last year.
(Please see "City
Council Urges Governor to Sign Street Racing Crackdown Legislation")
But I'd been remiss about not following up with a report on
what had occurred as a result of State Legislature.
I appreciate the opportunity you give me to correct this now.
I'm happy
to say that the Governor did sign the bill into effect on September
6, 2002, and it was filed with the Secretary of State three
days later.
Attached you'll find my complete research which includes both
the text of
the City Resolution (which passed unanimously on
September 3, 2002) and the text and
history of SB 1489, Senator
Perata's legislation (which passed and was signed into law a
few days later).
This
law imposed temporary impounding for up to 30 days, and a serious
fine to get a vehicle returned. It also made it a misdemeanor
to be a spectator at a street racing event.
But days ago the City Council passed much more serious legislation
against street racers, and voted on an ordinance that would
result in
forfeiture of
the vehicles involved. The
measure permits police to permanently confiscate and sell
cars used in street races. The money would go into the City's
general fund.
Ms.
Wendy Greuel was again the Councilmember who presented the
motion and I have requested the exact wording of the ordinance
through
her office.
I am
expecting
it to be
sent
to
me
soon, and will add it to this article as soon as
it arrives.
Mayor James Hahn signed the ordance into law on Friday, June
13th. His office prepared the following press release
explaining his position.
| FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACT:
Angie Levine |
| June
13, 2003 |
213
/ 978-0741 |
MAYOR HAHN APPROVES MEASURE TO
CRACK DOWN ON ILLEGAL
STREET RACING
LOS ANGELES - Mayor Jim Hahn today signed an ordinance
allowing the City of Los Angeles to seize and forfeit
vehicles used in illegal street racing.
"I am pleased to sign this ordinance, which will
help make our community safer," said Mayor Hahn. "This
law makes it clear that the city has no tolerance for
illegal street racing and the often tragic results."
The ordinance, adopted by the City Council this week,
states that any individual who uses their vehicle to
race in front of spectators would have their cars immediately
seized by the city. The vehicles would then be sold to
reimburse the city, and any remaining revenue would go
to the General Fund.
"The car forfeiture ordinance finally gives the
city the leverage to put the brakes on illegal street
racing, save countless lives and restore the quality
of life to the Los Angeles communities that have dealt
with the large crowds of illegal racers and spectators," said
City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo. "I look forward
to taking the cars keys away from the first racer we
cite under this new ordinance and telling that person
we've made Los Angeles' street a little safer now that
the car is off the road."
"This gives law enforcement the tools they need
to eliminate street racing from our neighborhoods," added
Councilmember Wendy Greuel. "This sends the message
loud and clear that our neighborhoods will not be terrorized.
If you are involved in street racing, you will lose your
car."
###
Angie Levine
Office of Mayor James K. Hahn
200 North Spring Street
Los Angeles, 90012
213 / 978-0741 phone
213 / 978-0576 ax
alevine@mayor.lacity.org
|
Thanking you for your active participation in our Los Angeles
Community Policing forum, and for making a difference in
Public Safety and the quality of life, I remain,
Yours in service,
Bill Murray
LA Community Policing
....... "Community Policing ...
it's everyone's issue"
