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The gloves have come off as San Diego Police Department seizes and destroys cars used by street takeover participants. Normally, California law enforcement and the justice system in the state go famously soft on the street takeover crowd, just like looters during riots. But after decades of that not working, it seems SDPD is going old school.
An automaker recently seemed to endorse street takeovers.
Local news station NBC 7 calls it a “radical maneuver” even though this very thing is done all over the country. But it’s being done to snap scofflaws in Southern California into realizing they need to stop.
Will the move work? That’s up for debate.
One of two vehicles recently destroyed by SDPD on camera was a Toyota Chaser, a rare rear-wheel-drive JDM import. That has some enthusiasts outraged because such a vehicle is a sacred treasure to them.
But others believe the practice of destroying cars used in the commission of crimes is counterproductive. After all, the vehicle didn’t do anything wrong. They can be auctioned off to the public and some revenue generated for law enforcement.
There’s even the option of police departments repurposing seized cars for use by cops.
Proponents of this practice think the public displays of destruction call attention to the seriousness of the crimes committed. In this case, it’s sparking more dialog about what to do to combat the street takeover epidemic in California.
In the past, the problem has been blown off as not a big deal, that kids are just having fun and not really doing any harm. The reality is the takeovers damage public and private property, innocent bystanders are sometimes hurt, participants are hurt or killed, and other illegal activities swirl around the gatherings.
Something has to change in California as street takeovers rage out of control in the state. But is this the way to get it all under control?
Image via NBC 7 San Diego/YouTube
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