The Portland Police Bureau, in collaboration with several law enforcement agencies, has initiated the second night of the West Coast Invitational street takeover suppression mission, aiming to deter illegal street racing activities that have become a growing concern in the region. This event is anticipated to attract a significant influx of participants from across the area.
In a proactive approach, officers from the Portland Police Bureau, Multnomah County, Clackamas County, Port of Portland, Oregon State Police, and the Vancouver Police Department are on high alert, actively patrolling and monitoring for dangerous and disruptive racing events.
The first night of this multi-agency initiative was deemed successful, with no reported street or intersection takeovers and only limited instances of speed racing and sideshow activities. The high visibility patrols and proactive enforcement strategies employed by law enforcement have proven effective in curtailing illegal street racing.
However, the night was not without incident. Tragically, two individuals lost their lives, and another was seriously injured when a driver, attempting to evade a traffic stop, sped away during the crackdown on street racing.
Despite the risks, hundreds of participants attempted to organize large-scale street takeovers at multiple locations. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of law enforcement, these attempts were swiftly dismantled. Preliminary reports indicate that at least 50 traffic stops were conducted, resulting in seven arrests and four vehicles being towed. Additionally, 11 citations were issued, with some vehicles seized through asset forfeiture laws, meaning the owners permanently lost their vehicles due to their involvement in street racing.
Throughout the evening, law enforcement thwarted attempts to establish takeovers at six different intersections, with quick police responses ensuring the prevention of any large-scale disruptions.
