DATE: June 10, 2003
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: Applying The Brakes To Illegal Street Racing
(All Districts)
SUMMARY:
Illegal street racers cannot plead ignorance about the consequences
of their actions. Far too many people, including innocent victims, have
been hurt or killed by the actions of street racers throughout San Diego
County. Illegal racers know that numerous crashes, injuries and fatalities
have recently occurred. They know that what they are doing is both illegal
and very dangerous. Yet they still do it. Illegal street racers still
consciously choose to put themselves and other in harm's way.
Approval of this item would initiate efforts to provide authority for the permanent confiscation of vehicles used in illegal street racing, hold law enforcement agencies harmless for confiscating vehicles used for illegal street racing, and increase the penalties for illegal street racing.
Recommendations
Vice Chairwoman Dianne Jacob and Sheriff Bill Kolender
- Direct the CAO to draft a letter for the Chair's signature to our State legislative delegation requesting changes to State law so that law enforcement officials may take permanent possession of vehicles used for illegal street racing and that law enforcement agencies are held harmless for confiscating vehicles used for illegal street racing, and include this in the County's legislative program.
- Direct the CAO to draft a letter for the Chair's signature to our State legislative delegation requesting changes to State law to strengthen the penalties for illegal street racing, as it relates to reckless driving, vehicular manslaughter and murder, and include this in the County's legislative program.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this request.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of illegal street racing in the San Diego region has become
an epidemic. Families and communities have been devastated by senseless
contests between drivers, particularly young drivers. Illegal street racers
cannot plead ignorance about the consequences of their actions. Far too
many people, including innocent victims, have been hurt or killed by the
actions of street racers. Illegal racers know that numerous crashes, injuries
and fatalities have recently occurred. They know that what they are doing
is both illegal and very dangerous. Yet they still do it. Illegal street
racers still consciously choose to put themselves and others in harm's
way.
Even though there has been a recent effort to decrease in the occurrence of illegal street racing in San Diego and increase in the number of citations issued for street racing, the races and accompanying deaths and injuries have not been eliminated. There is also concern that the illegal street racing that has been prevalent in the City of San Diego will move into other areas of the County as a result of the City of San Diego's recent actions to counter street racing.
In order to continue the efforts to completely eliminate the occurrence of illegal street racing throughout San Diego County, it's important for all local law enforcement officials to have every tool necessary to crack down on these individuals. We can assist our law enforcement community by changing State law so that law enforcement officials may take permanent possession of vehicles used for illegal street racing and that law enforcement agencies are held harmless for confiscating vehicles used for illegal street racing.
In addition to the ability to permanently confiscate their vehicles, the penalties for street racing need to be strengthened. Illegal street racers need to know that they will be severely punished for their reckless behavior. At a minimum, it should be a felony for participating in an illegal street race. Even further, if the street race results in the injury or death of another individual, the punishment should fit the crime. State law needs to be changed to strengthen the penalties. These actions will allow the County to pursue necessary changes at the State level to allow of our local law enforcement officials to address the ongoing and dangerous phenomenon of illegal street racing in the San Diego region. We urge your support.
Respectfully submitted,
DIANNE JACOB
Vice Chairwoman
WILLIAM B. KOLENDER
Sheriff
