1/3/2024
Portland, OR. – Official Release: The Portland Police Bureau continues to address the dangerous and illegal practice of street racing and street takeovers.
On Saturday, December 30, 2023, and Sunday, December 31, 2023, North Precinct officers, with the assistance of East Precinct and Central Precinct officers, the Specialized Resource Division, and members of the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, conducted a Street Takeover Mission. Officers spent approximately 10 hours each night disrupting street takeover events in all corners of the city. The mission resulted in 19 arrests and 13 citations. Additionally, seven firearms were recovered and 21 vehicles were towed. Some of those vehicles could be subject to forfeiture with the passing of Oregon Senate Bill 615.
“I am beyond impressed by the work of our officers during this important mission,” Portland Police Chief Bob Day said. “Street racing and street takeover events are extremely dangerous and negatively impact our neighborhoods. I remain committed to conducting additional missions that will improve safety and livability in our community.”
“This weekend I joined PPB on their New Year’s Eve street racing mission and saw firsthand just how dangerous and disruptive street racing and street takeover events are to businesses, pedestrians, and other traffic,” Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt added. “While these events can be very challenging from a law enforcement perspective, the missions resulted in a good number of arrests and many vehicles being taken off the street. Even further, with the passage of SB 615 — a law that my office worked on and that I supported — we will now be able to use criminal forfeiture of these vehicles as part of the prosecution process. The message is clear: If you engage in illegal street racing and street takeovers, you will face criminal penalties, including the permanent loss of your car.”
The Portland Police Bureau will continue its efforts in educating community members about the dangers of speed racing. This education will be conducted on our social media platforms and through one-on-one conversations with participants. Enforcement action will also continue against individuals who are suspected of committing these types of crimes.
PPB wants to remind participants that street takeovers can result in jail time, fines, and towed vehicles.
In addition to state statutes, Portland City Code addresses this dangerous activity.
1. Unlawful street takeover event means an activity that is:
a. Unpermitted;
b. Preplanned or contemporaneously coordinated by two or more persons; and
c. Involves one or more persons demonstrating, exhibiting, or comparing the maneuverability or power of one or more motor vehicles in a curved direction, in a circular direction, or around corners, including but not limited to by breaking traction in a curved or circular direction or around corners.
2. A person commits the offense of an Unlawful Street Takeover if, in a public place or upon a highway, the person knowingly operates a motor vehicle while engaged in an unlawful street takeover event.
3.1. Highway means the entire width of a public right-of-way when any portion thereof is intended for motor vehicle movement or motor vehicle access to abutting property.
3.2. Public place means an area, whether publicly or privately owned, generally open to the public and includes, without limitation, the grounds surrounding buildings or dwellings, streets, sidewalks, bridges, tunnels, alleys, plazas, parks, driveways, and parking lots.
See the full ordinance here: https://www.portland.gov/code/14/a30/080
The Portland Police Bureau has updated its vehicle towing policy and now authorizes towing for drivers operating vehicles without valid driving privileges and lack of insurance, and to address street takeovers.
The Bureau recently substantially revised Directive 0630.60, Vehicle Dispositions. Most significantly, the revised directive has the following changes:
1) The directive authorizes towing for certain offenses, such as unlicensed drivers, suspended drivers, and lack of insurance.
2) The directive authorizes towing for violating new Portland City Code, 14A.30.080, Unlawful Street Takeover and Unlawful Staging of a Street Takeover Event.
3) The directive provides new guidance on responding to stolen vehicles reported at tow lots, temporary holds for VIN inspections, and abandoned vehicle towing.
The most noteworthy change to revised Directive 0630.60 is the newly authorized towing for certain offenses such as driving uninsured, suspended, without a license, or in a street takeover pursuant to a new Portland City Code provision, 14A.30.080. This change brings the Bureau in line with both neighboring law enforcement agency common practice and state law authorization for towing. Additionally, the change was supported in public comments and among internal subject matter experts and stakeholders within the Bureau, and will serve as an additional tool for the Bureau to increase traffic safety.
While the policy allows for tows in circumstances where they were not permitted before, the policy does not require them in most cases. The policy specifically encourages Police Bureau members to exercise discretion in impounding vehicles under circumstances that may create undue hardship or risk to the occupants. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to: the presence of young children, elderly, or disabled persons; vehicles equipped for use by such persons; and vehicles used as homes.
Members of the public are encouraged, before driving on public roads, to verify that their driver’s license is current and valid and that they have current proof of insurance.
PPB has previously released a video about this ordinance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrAt64cihw4
Every year, Portland Police officers respond to preventable collisions. These collisions can deeply impact those involved, their families and loved ones.
Future missions are being planned as resources allow. These missions typically will not be preannounced, so participants are warned that they are risking arrest, towed vehicles, and traffic tickets if they take part in illegal street racing or takeovers. The goal of these missions is to deter people from engaging in these illegal and dangerous activities that are often related to crashes, shootings and other criminal activity.
Photo descriptions:
1) Vehicle stopped during mission
2) Vehicle towed during mission
3) Arrest during mission
4) Arrest during mission
5) Vehicle stopped during mission
6) Vehicle stopped during mission
7) Vehicle stopped during mission
8) Guns and ammunition seized during mission
9) Gun seized during mission
10) Gun seized during mission
11) Gun seized during mission
##PPB###
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