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Police cracking down on illegal car meet-ups after series of dangerous incidents
From an injured police officer to rubbish fires set, the Philadelphia Police Department is cracking down on illegal street racing and reckless driving after a series of ‘dangerous’ incidents across the city over the weekend.
PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia police are deploying several efforts to address the increase of illegal street racing and reckless driving in the city after a series of overnight incidents.
According to police, between 9:30 p.m. and 4:33 a.m., officers responded to multiple locations where crowds ranging from 50 to over 200 vehicles had gathered.
They say the incidents involved ‘dangerous behaviors’ including drifting, setting off fireworks, starting trash fires, and vandalizing police vehicles.
Below is a timeline of the incidents and where they occurred from Saturday night into early Sunday morning, according to Philly police.
9:30 p.m. - 74XX Bustleton Ave
Approximately 50 cars were involved. Officers issued 9 citations under the Nuisance Car Ordinance and 15 citations to spectators. One driver attempted to evade police by driving directly at officers, colliding with a civilian vehicle in the process. The driver has been identified, and a warrant has been issued for their arrest.
In an update, police say officers assigned to the car meet detail responded to a large gathering in the Pep Boys parking lot on the 7200 block of Bustleton Avenue.
During the event, a blue Dodge Charger accelerated toward two officers, forcing them to take action to avoid being struck.
The Charger then collided with a red Dodge Durango, which police say was not involved in the car meetup. The driver of the Durango sustained minor injuries, and the vehicle was disabled.
As the blue Dodge Charger fled the scene, both officers were able to get a clear view of the driver and pertinent vehicle information. Following further investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for the offender and the vehicle.
11:47 p.m. — 20th and Pattison Ave
Over 100 vehicles were reported drifting and engaging in reckless driving. Two individuals were arrested after fleeing from police and crashing into a pole. Both are residents of neighboring communities.
12:00 a.m. - Columbus Blvd and Pattison Avenue,
An officer saw a silver Nissan doing donuts in the middle of the street and doing a 180-degree turn heading towards his vehicle.
The officer was able to maneuver out of the way and followed the vehicle and observed it come to a stop at 300 Pattison Avenue when the vehicle struck a pole.
Police say the officer then approached the stopped Nissan, at which time four males ran from the vehicle.
1:30 a.m. - 25th and Washington Ave
Officers responded to the area for a report of gunshots. Upon arrival, they were met by a female complainant who stated that several cars were in the intersection when a man and woman physically assaulted her by throwing an orange traffic cone at her, causing her to fall to the ground.
While this was occurring, police say a gunshot was heard from the direction of the cars in the street. All vehicles fled and one spent casing and one live round was recovered by detectives. There are no arrests at this time.
2:25 a.m. - 11th and Grange
A large group of cars and people congregated in the area of Marvine St. and Grange Ave., engaging in disorderly and reckless behavior, police say.
Officers on the scene were unable to disperse the crowd and were briefly surrounded. An officer was called to assist, resulting in a large police response.
Once enough officers were on location, the crowd was dispersed. There were no reports of injuries, arrests, or property damage at this location.
3:30 a.m. - 3300 Fox St.
A 39th District officer sustained minor injuries while responding to an assist call. His vehicle was struck by another car that fled the scene.
4:00 a.m. — Island and Bartram Ave
A group of over 200 cars was involved in drag racing and drifting. Officers were attacked, and a police vehicle was damaged. The crowd dispersed when additional police units arrived.
4:33 a.m. — 15th and Market
More than 100 cars were reported drifting and setting rubbish fires. Officers were attacked, resulting in damage to multiple police vehicles, including broken windshields and flattened tires.
Six of the incidents, police say, were particularly destructive, especially towards officers and their vehicles.
In total, five police vehicles sustained damage, including broken windshields and flattened tires during the incidents.
"There’s officers in the car, they’re jumping on the windshield. They're physically doing damage," said Deputy Commissioner Mike Cram. "They don't care about your safety, their own safety. If you've all seen the videos with their behavior, they really don't care. It's just about how much chaos can we can we cause?"
Here’s what’s being done.
The Philadelphia Police Department assigned dozens of officers to address the illegal gatherings over the weekend, focusing on large, dangerous vehicular gatherings that have been forming throughout our city.
Officers in the Criminal Intelligence Unit will gather data to learn of these events prior to them occurring.
Philly police have a message to those participating in the illegal activity: "Do not think for a moment that you got away with it and that you will not be held accountable. There are cameras everywhere, there is a considerable amount of evidence to go through, PPD will use that evidence to make arrests when warranted."
The PPD is continuing to work with Mayor Cherelle Parker to crackdown and put a stop to the dangerous incidents.
"The Parker Administration’s support is strong and unwavering, and instrumental in efforts to enhance public safety and bring those responsible to justice," said the police in a press release.
Police say due to having officers dedicated to the issue on the weekends, they issued a number of citations for violating the city ordinance and made a few arrests. They said they felt the behavior was retaliatory, but still warned more arrests are coming.
"We have your picture. We're coming for you. Do you think you got away last night? You did, OK. So when you hear that banging on the door, it will be us, we’re coming with search warrants, and we’re coming with arrest warrants," says Deputy Commissioner Francis Healy.
Just around the corner from the visible aftermath outside City Hall on Sunday, a gathering of motorcycles and other vehicles for the Philly Ride for Peace down Broad Street.
"I saw the street when I came around, horrible," says Michele Jackson, organizer of Philly Bike Fest.
Riding alongside the family of Alaysia Smith, 13, fatally shot last week, Pastor Willie Singletary condemned the behavior overnight.
"We have no tolerance for lawlessness," he says. "Real bikers who love this sport, this is our passion, we’re totally against that, if you want to do burnouts, go to Maple Grove, go to Cecil County, they got racetracks. If you want to do that kind of stuff go to the track, don’t do it in our city, this is where we live, this is where we stay."
Anyone with information regarding these incidents is urged to contact the Philadelphia Police Department at (215) 686-TIPS (8477).