The Portland Police Bureau was able to limit the dangerous street racing/takeovers this weekend, and officers utilized the new city ordinance that provides an additional tool to limit this activity.
With help from our partners at the Oregon State Police, officers made multiple arrests, wrote citations, and towed cars.
On Saturday night, there were 4 arrests and two cars towed.
On Sunday night, which was billed online as the larger event involving participants from out of state, the participants gathered in multiple places including Southeast 48th Avenue and Southeast Division Street, the 1500 block of Northeast Killingsworth Street, various areas around Northeast Grand Avenue and Northeast Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, and a parking garage of Lloyd Center (1600 block of Northeast Multnomah Street). The group took over a two-block area around Northeast 12th Avenue and Northeast Glisan Street. A large police response prompted the group to leave after about 20 minutes. Smaller groups of participants reconstituted around Northeast 122nd Avenue at Northeast Airport Way and the 6300 block of North Marine Drive.
The group appeared to be coordinated and intent on a large takeover. But the police presence had the desired effect of deterring a large-scale intersection or bridge takeover, which would clearly thwart equitable use of city streets.
On Sunday night, 29 traffic stops were made, there were 4 arrests (including 2 Reckless Driving/Unlawful Street Takeover, 1 DUII, 1 Driving While Revoked-Felony), 5 cars towed, 19 citations written, and countless educational conversations.