Seized vehicles, license suspensions
Conn. lawmakers vote to crack down on street takeovers
With the spread of “street takeovers,” state lawmakers took steps Wednesday to help local officials regain control of their streets.
The state House of Representatives voted 148-0 with three members absent for the bipartisan measure to control takeovers that have proven to be a headache for mayors, first selectmen and police.
The tools for the towns include allowing municipalities to create ordinances on takeovers, increased penalties for those involved, and allowing forfeiture of certain vehicles that were used illegally. After vehicles are confiscated by the police, the municipalities will be given new authority to destroy dirt bikes, mini-motorcycles, and all-terrain vehicles after holding them for a minimum of 30 days.
“If the police department is holding the vehicle and they want to destroy it after 30 days, they can,” said Rep. Steven Stafstrom, a Bridgeport Democrat who co-chairs the legislature’s judiciary committee.
Street takeovers are defined under state law as “blocking or impeding the regular flow of traffic” with motor vehicles on public highways or parking areas with the intent to cause disorder or nuisance. They have occurred in Milford, Meriden,
Tolland, West Haven, North Haven and other communities.
For decades, drag racing and street racing have been problematic in isolated areas. The difference now, police said, is that large crowds gather to watch events that have been promoted through social media. In some instances, the cars block intersections and prevent other drivers from getting through.
Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco, a conservative Republican from Wolcott, said the violators should be punished.
“Street takeovers are very bad, and these people should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Mastrofrancesco said.
Rep. Joe Polletta, a Watertown Republican, said police have been baffled by the occurrences.
“Part of my district is Waterbury, and we are no stranger to street takeovers,” Polletta said. “One was a violent street takeover on May 7 of last year. … The perpetrator was arrested, and his bond was set at $25,000, and then it was lowered to a promise to appear. … That’s a problem across the state of Connecticut.”
The answer, he said, relies on increased enforcement.
“We certainly need more law enforcement to stop these street takeovers,” Polletta said. “Unless we get serious from the state level … we’re never truly going to stop reading about these violent acts that are happening across the state.”