Surge in Street Takeovers Reported in Los Angeles County for 2024

LOS ANGELES—In 2024, street takeovers in Los Angeles County experienced a significant surge, particularly in the Second District, which reported a 64 percent increase from October to December, as announced by officials on Friday.

A recent Sheriff’s Department report indicated that from October to December 2024, L.A. County recorded an additional 88 street takeovers, characterized by large gatherings where drivers perform stunts on public roads. Such activities jeopardize public safety, leading to injuries, fatalities, and damage to property.

The report detailed that there were 13 street takeovers in the First District from July to September, 191 in the Second District, and 76 in the Fourth District.

Between October and December, the First District saw four takeovers, while the Fourth District had 67. The Second District experienced a staggering increase of 106 street takeovers, culminating in a total of 297, according to the findings.

To tackle the issue, county officials, in partnership with law enforcement, gathered community feedback to formulate the Street Takeover Reduction Action Plan in late 2024. Organizations such as Streets Are For Everyone, Street Racing Kills, Project Street Legal, and the Brotherhood of Street Racers contributed to this plan, which prioritizes several areas of focus.

The plan emphasizes youth education and prevention of street racing, enhancing school-based and community outreach initiatives; upgrading infrastructure and technology, including centerline extensions, barriers, and rubber medians at high-risk intersections; and improving law enforcement collaboration by strengthening coordination among law enforcement agencies, raising penalties for organizers and spectators, and issuing more citations.

Other priorities include fostering community engagement through partnerships with local organizations and enhancing public awareness campaigns aimed at combating street takeovers, along with identifying potential areas designated for legal street racing events.

Damian Kevitt, executive director of Streets Are For Everyone, remarked that street takeovers have reached “crisis levels” throughout the county.

“Just enforcement will not resolve this issue,” Kevitt emphasized.

He praised the action plan as a historic collaboration between a diverse range of community organizations and government agencies working together to confront this challenge.

County officials have also expanded a regional task force dedicated to addressing street takeovers and have proposed new ordinances aimed at increasing fines, expanding penalties, and targeting both spectators and organizers, among other strategies.