VALLEJO - Over the weekend, the Vallejo Police Department (VPD) coordinated a successful zero-tolerance approach to dismantling sideshow activity in Vallejo. Officers responded to several smaller sideshows on Friday and Saturday and were able to deter the crowds without incident.
On Sunday, Vallejo PD enlisted the support of allied agencies to respond to crowds of more than 200 participants. Upon arrival, officers observed the crowds engaged in riotous behavior; discharging firearms, throwing bottles and fireworks at officers in responding units and yelling countless verbal threats of violence toward officers.
The sideshows started on 5th and Lemon Streets and continued in areas throughout the City, lasting for nearly four hours.
The allied agencies involved in coordinating Sunday’s response included the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, Napa County Sheriff’s Office, Napa PD, American Canyon PD, and the CHP air and ground units. As a result of the coordinated response, officers made eight arrests, impounded eight vehicles, and issued three citations. Officers also engaged in one agency assisted vehicle pursuit, leading to a foot-chase and subsequent in-custody arrest in Berkley.
The Vallejo Police Department would like to thank our officers, as well as our allied agencies in Solano and Napa County for aiding in the successful response. Captain Jason Potts, who oversees Vallejo PD’s Patrol Division, says the efforts came in direct response to the outpour of community feedback received and the inherent danger the activity poses to the City of Vallejo.
“This type of lawless activity is a quality of life concern for any community and is especially frustrating for our citizens,” Captain Potts stated. “We listened to those concerns and our increased enforcement is a reflection of that. We are extremely proud of our courageous police officers who continue to keep our community safe and enforce these incidents during challenging times.”
Captain Potts also added that the Department is actively working on a spectator ordinance with the City Attorney’s Office that will make it a crime to watch and block roadways to facilitate a “sideshow take over”.
Sideshow participants may also be subjected to the following penalties if they break the laws and guidelines surrounding the activity:
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Arrested and have your vehicle impounded for 30 days pursuant to vehicle code 14602.7(a) for involvement in reckless driving
- Imprisoned in a county jail for not more than one year and/or be fined up to $10,000, if when more than one offender is convicted of conspiracy to committing a sideshow.
- Imprisoned for up to three months and/or be fined for up to $1,100, if convicted of street racing, or aiding or abetting a street race.
- Driver’s license revoked.
- Vehicle's insurance canceled or premiums dramatically increased.
- Required to submit vehicle to the Bureau of Automotive Repair for equipment violation and smog regulations inspection.
The Vallejo Police Department will continue to modify and enhance its’ plan as needed to help deter crime and mitigate the dangerous activity in Vallejo. Current and/or future plans may include:
- Increased enforcement of existing laws.
- New legislation surrounding Vallejo Municipal Code ordinances.
- Partnerships with prosecuting agencies to ensure uniform and consistent prosecutions.
- Improved communications with other law enforcement agencies when sideshows are reported and,
- Continued media advocacy to improve public awareness.
The department will also consider mobilizing its Mobile Field Force Teams and using enhanced technology and surveillance tools to identify related vehicles and participants. Community members also have the option to safely submit video/photo evidence of sideshow activity online using the Axon Citizen Assist link.
For media inquiries, please contact Public Information Officer, Brittany K. Jackson by email at [email protected]. or by phone at (707) 651-7147.
