LA County Supervisors Consider Doubling Fines for Illegal Street Takeovers

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is set to consider tougher penalties for illegal street takeovers, a move that could significantly impact Inglewood and Compton residents who have long voiced concerns about these dangerous events in their neighborhoods.

Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell has submitted a recommendation that would double the misdemeanor fines from $500 to $1,000 for individuals who “organize or knowingly encourage, promote, instigate, assist, facilitate, aid, or abet” illegal street takeovers, according to the meeting agenda. The Board will review the proposal during their Tuesday meeting.

The recommendation would also expand the current ordinance beyond public highways to include off-street parking areas and facilitate removal of social media content promoting these events, potentially addressing gatherings that have occurred in commercial parking lots in Inglewood and surrounding communities.

Street takeovers have been particularly problematic in parts of Compton, where previous incidents have disrupted neighborhoods and endangered residents. The proposal specifically aims to crack down on these dangerous events before they can begin, addressing concerns raised by community members at recent public safety forums.

In recent years, Compton intersections have been frequent targets for takeovers, with documented incidents at Rosecrans and Atlantic avenues, as well as Wilmington Avenue and Caldwell Street, where the city had previously installed speed bumps in an attempt to deter the activity.

For Inglewood residents, the proposed county-wide crackdown could provide additional support to local law enforcement efforts to prevent takeovers that have occasionally spilled over from neighboring communities, particularly following major events at venues like SoFi Stadium or The Forum.

The dangers of these events were highlighted last September when three vehicles attempting to start a street takeover crashed into a Metro bus in the Vermont Vista neighborhood. In another incident in July 2023, a pickup truck drove into a crowd during a takeover in the Gramercy Park area after the driver lost control.

The proposed ordinance changes represent part of a broader regional effort to address dangerous driving exhibitions that have grown in popularity, partially fueled by social media visibility. For Inglewood and Compton communities, which have advocated for stronger enforcement, the potential new penalties could provide a welcome tool in addressing longstanding safety concerns.

This story draws on reporting by Tony Kurzweil.