Previously Published in The Messenger
By Matt Meduri
Suffolk County is following the lead of State officials who, in October, unveiled legislation aimed at cracking down on street takeovers and side shows staged by drivers who intentionally take to quiet suburbia to wreak mayhem on the roads.
The State version of the bill is being carried by Senator Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk) and Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (R-Baiting Hollow). At that time, County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches), along with several Legislators, made a promise to introduce similar legislation at the County level.
Not only has reckless driving been a nuisance and a culprit in defacing crosswalks and intersections with tire marks, but the side shows have injured other motorists and hindered law enforcement vehicles from responding to calls. Furthermore, the drivers are communicating in online spaces to plan these types of crusades, even hailing from Upstate New York, while others actively block roads and parking lot entrances and exits to prevent typical traffic flow from interrupting the dangerous displays.
During the recess of the Legislature’s final General Meeting of the year, the entire Legislature, along with Executive Romaine, Chief Assistant District Attorney Allen Bode, and SCPD Deputy Commissioners Kevin Catalina and Belinda Alvarez-Groneman made their statement against such drivers on Tuesday afternoon in Hauppauge.
“One of the issues that we’ve had is these sideshows where these cars are coming out and driving recklessly, upsetting neighborhoods, closing down roads, and impeding traffic for the emergency vehicles,” said Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst), adding that the problem has been persisting for months.
“In October, we had a young woman who had her femur broken after a group of cars went from Queens to Nassau to three different places in Suffolk, ending up at the Gateway Plaza in North Patchogue,” said Chief A.D.A. Bode. “After that, in November, there was another takeover at Sunrise Highway and Commack Road; at that location, there were multiple crashes.” Bode also mentioned a police car that had its tires slashed by spectators of the sideshows, as well as an officer who was assaulted by spectators, and an officer that was dragged by a car.
“The District Attorney’s office is prosecuting these cases, but it’s not enough,” said Bode, calling for legislation to impose stricter penalties and hopefully serve as a deterrent. He added that Tierney is requesting a form of prevention before “someone is killed,” according to Bode.
Additionally, Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for anyone who has information about future street takeovers that leads to arrests.
Of the proposed legislation, I.R. 2024-2024, Bode says that it would allow police to arrest and Tierney’s office to prosecute spectators involved in the illegal takeovers.
“Drivers don’t do these stunts alone,” said Bode. “Spectators go with them, they shut down intersections, they film the stunts for social media. They harass and assault our first responders, police, and emergency personnel, and they block legitimate traffic.”
Bode recounted an October incident that prompted the State legislators to draft a bill in Albany, in which an ambulance was blocked from passing through an intersection by one of the takeovers.
“The cars that are used by illegal stunts and the cars that are used to block off those intersections are now subject to forfeiture,” added Bode. “So if you want to go to a street takeover and follow someone doing stunts, we will take your car. Spectators will no longer be able to gather in crowds, blocking traffic, and encouraging this dangerous behavior without any consequence to themselves. If you participate, you are complicit and will face legal consequences.”
County Executive Romaine called the initiative one that will fulfill promises from the County to keep Suffolk safe.
“Public safety is the first obligation of every government, and we’re stepping up to the plate to address a problem before it gets out of hand and to make sure we keep the public safe,” said Romaine. “This piece of legislation is critical. I thank the Presiding Officer, the Legislators, and the police department, who will have the job of enforcing this.”
SCPD Deputy Commissioner Kevin Catalina spoke more in-depth about what law enforcement is observing regarding these incidents. “These events don’t happen in a vacuum. There’s plenty of planning that goes into it. There’s organizers and there’s participants,” said Catalina. “They post this on social media and that’s what fuels these incidents.”
Catalina also referenced a recent case in Florida, where police officers were injured due to the fires that were lit in the street.
“This isn’t unique to Suffolk County, but what is unique is the resolve of Suffolk County to get in front of this issue, to deal with it, and draft the correct legislation that makes law enforcement’s job much easier in dealing with this issue,” said Catalina, adding that a nascent task force to handle the issue has already proven successful.
“We made arrests, issued summonses, and more importantly, we sent a message to this community that we’re not going to tolerate this anymore,” referencing a recent case at the Ronkonkoma LIRR Station.
Bode added that while legislation has existed to curb forms of traffic interference, among other issues, the proposed bill is more of an amendment to add stunt shows.
“This legislation has been around in drag racing form for years, and there’s a body of case law. The people who were dropping the flag to start the races were always participating. The definition in the law is that you knowingly participate.”
Bode clarified that a bystander who happens to record a stunt show is not likely considered a willing participant, only if said person is deliberately following the caravan to record each stunt session after the other. Drivers or passersby simply recording the show will not be considered liable for willing participation.