BOSTON (WHDH) — New Bedford Representative Chris Markey has proposed a bill that would allow law enforcement to seize vehicles involved in illegal street takeovers and car meetups.
These recently viral gatherings, seen from Boston to Fall River, have blocked busy roads, led to dozens of arrests, and left police officers frustrated.
“I believe strongly that this would be a good deterrence for them. They’ve invested probably more time and money into their vehicles than they have any other aspect of their lives,” said Markey.
The measure would also include confiscating ATVs and motocross vehicles, such as some seen in Fall River last week during a street takeover where five people were arrested.
Currently, people who attend these events face only a disorderly conduct charge resulting in a fine. Markey is also pushing for increased fines and even jail sentences for spectators.
“I suggest if you’re going to be doing that type of behavior and you’re masking yourself, there’s more criminal intent and more culpability with those individuals,” he explained.
Markey argued that street takeovers not only put participants at risk but also threaten nearby businesses and drain police resources.
“These things start with, ‘oh, we’re just going to have fun,’ but they end up causing incredible panic to a neighborhood,” Markey said. “They also can cause significant damage to good, law-abiding citizens who have no participation in this.”
Markey hopes to hold a hearing on the bill this winter, with a vote as early as next spring.
https://whdh.com/news/new-bill-could-allow-law-enforcement-to-confiscate-vehicles-used-in-street-takeovers/