80 arrested in Kent (WA) street racing raid
#1
80 arrested in Kent (WA) street racing raid
Not sure how I feel about this entirely.
I recall reading a story about officials in Poland organizing and sanctioning street racing and with a positive result. Probably room for something like that over here.
On the other hand, illegal street racing of this nature just makes it more likely that when I get a ticket for driving too fast that the officer will not be sympathetic.
Anyway, here's the story:
Associated Press KENT, Wash. - Kent police say 80 people have been arrested and 37 vehicles stopped in a raid on street racing.
Officer Paul A. Petersen said racing was noticed shortly at 12:10 a.m. Friday in the parking lot of a business with "no trespassing" signs.
Kent police and state troopers stopped all 37 vehicles at the scene and arrested everyone present. Four people have been jailed for investigation of drunken driving and four were arrested for reckless driving and racing.
All 80 were given tickets for trespassing and attending illegal races. Several citations also were issued for driving on a suspended license.
Six cars and a motorcycle were impounded.
Police say none of those arrested are from Kent.
Found it on King5:
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stori...W.a41447c.html
I recall reading a story about officials in Poland organizing and sanctioning street racing and with a positive result. Probably room for something like that over here.
On the other hand, illegal street racing of this nature just makes it more likely that when I get a ticket for driving too fast that the officer will not be sympathetic.
Anyway, here's the story:
Associated Press KENT, Wash. - Kent police say 80 people have been arrested and 37 vehicles stopped in a raid on street racing.
Officer Paul A. Petersen said racing was noticed shortly at 12:10 a.m. Friday in the parking lot of a business with "no trespassing" signs.
Kent police and state troopers stopped all 37 vehicles at the scene and arrested everyone present. Four people have been jailed for investigation of drunken driving and four were arrested for reckless driving and racing.
All 80 were given tickets for trespassing and attending illegal races. Several citations also were issued for driving on a suspended license.
Six cars and a motorcycle were impounded.
Police say none of those arrested are from Kent.
Found it on King5:
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stori...W.a41447c.html
#3
I went to the Kent street races couple of times when I lived in Kent. Most people just parked their cars by the Chevron down the hill from Valley hospital and checked out cars, then drive around to a spot to watch a race between two people. Most people didnt speed, only watched but there is always people that ruin it for everyone.
#5
I agree.....
This kind of stuff is disturbing, dangerous, it's patently illegal, reckless and frankly, pretty upsetting.
I'm going to get some ice cream and chill out about it for a while....
#6
I still remember when I went to one of those things a while back. I'm not even sure why I went but I managed to get away when the cops came. I never went back again afterwards because it just wasn't worth it.
#7
If there was enough people present to arrest 80, you'd think it would be enough of a sign that something like this is popular enough to warrant an organized event where it can be done safely.
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#8
Most of the people there arent kids, they are like 20 year olds to 30 year olds
#9
you make me mjf.....in this state, in our "by the *****" "free" country nobody will allow street racing ..even if it is safe. if our governing bodies won't profit from it or would't be able to tax it..it's not going to happen
#10
You're right though, unless there's money in it, seems unlikely the government will get involved. A shame, as it would be nice for them to put public safety and interests first.
#11
It's VERY easy to get on a high horse and shake your finger at these kids, but last time I checked, none of us have Miss Daisey sitting in our backseats.
I've seen a Ferrari almost go off the road in Duvall, cars passing and forcing ONCOMING traffic off the road, cars get airborn (thanks St. Helens roads), high triple digit speeds, racing all on public roads, raging in traffic. etc etc, all on 6speed organized drives.
We're far from Orthodox here and really have no room to look down on these kids...as they are doing it on more of a closed course than we ever have.
In the spectrum of risky things in this world, street racing is low on the totem pole.
Until we stop people from dumping all sorts of hormones into our food, ban smoking all together (sorry you eastern european guys!), street racing shouldn't even be on our legal radar.
Closed Course racing started as street racing. Racing is very American and is done in some way shape or form world wide. Before we did it on cars, we did it on horses. It's friendly competition, who's better, who's stronger, who's more skilled etc etc etc. It goes on and on.
I guess I just don't see the big deal. The biggest problem I see with this whole sting is that it took 100 officers and 2 months of planning. Aka THOUSANDS burned on arresting kids for trespassing.
When instead, they could just accept that these kids are going to continue what they've been doing for over a decade and just block off a vacant road for them and let them do it in a more controlled environment.
The last thing I want is someones child going to jail and put in the same cell as murderers, rapists, pedophiles and drug dealers. Our jails are full enough without kids being jailed for doing what's been done in this country for almost 100 years.
I've seen a Ferrari almost go off the road in Duvall, cars passing and forcing ONCOMING traffic off the road, cars get airborn (thanks St. Helens roads), high triple digit speeds, racing all on public roads, raging in traffic. etc etc, all on 6speed organized drives.
We're far from Orthodox here and really have no room to look down on these kids...as they are doing it on more of a closed course than we ever have.
In the spectrum of risky things in this world, street racing is low on the totem pole.
Until we stop people from dumping all sorts of hormones into our food, ban smoking all together (sorry you eastern european guys!), street racing shouldn't even be on our legal radar.
Closed Course racing started as street racing. Racing is very American and is done in some way shape or form world wide. Before we did it on cars, we did it on horses. It's friendly competition, who's better, who's stronger, who's more skilled etc etc etc. It goes on and on.
I guess I just don't see the big deal. The biggest problem I see with this whole sting is that it took 100 officers and 2 months of planning. Aka THOUSANDS burned on arresting kids for trespassing.
When instead, they could just accept that these kids are going to continue what they've been doing for over a decade and just block off a vacant road for them and let them do it in a more controlled environment.
The last thing I want is someones child going to jail and put in the same cell as murderers, rapists, pedophiles and drug dealers. Our jails are full enough without kids being jailed for doing what's been done in this country for almost 100 years.
#12
Found the link here: Lodz Journal reported in the NY Times.
You're right though, unless there's money in it, seems unlikely the government will get involved. A shame, as it would be nice for them to put public safety and interests first.
You're right though, unless there's money in it, seems unlikely the government will get involved. A shame, as it would be nice for them to put public safety and interests first.
They are so gunho on stopping street racing and drug use to "protect people", how does fining a kid for speeding or smoking pot protect me or the kid? It does nothing but feed a self perpetuating business that governs everything we do.
Yet, we allow smoking, drinking and anyone to own a gun in this country. Simply because Big Tobacco makes a TON of money and we tax the hell out of them, then the medical industry makes a killing off of lifetime smokers, which allows insurance companies to raise their rates based off of the stats.
God forbid we cap the amount that someone can drink at a bar, teach kids at a young age how to use and respect guns, not sell assault rifles and pistols to just anyone and ban smoking because it's becoming everyone's problem and not just the smokers.
Blah, this **** pisses me off.
#13
A raid like this is actually not a first for these events.
#14
B) Speak for yourself and don't generalize. Just because you haven't been on a closed course, doesn't mean that "we" haven't. And, in my opinion, it is exactly that closed course experience that enables me to take calculated risks on the road. How many of these kids have ever been in a performance drivers school and would know what to do if (insert potentially tragic event here)?
C) Are you really trying to negate the risk of street racing by saying that smoking is bad for you? That's terrible logic Mitchel.
D) There is a blocked off street that is wholly dedicated to racing, it's called Pacific Raceways, there are high school drags all summer, shall I post up the address?
Last edited by silversurfer; 07-29-2008 at 12:02 PM.
#15
For the record
I have never exceeeded the speed limit at a 6speed organized drive and I do not recall any one else exceeding the limit or driving in a fashion that was not in accordance to the local, regional, state and federal laws.
And I am not sure that this thread is about the 6speed community and I would ask that we keep it that way.
thank you very much.
Perfect little angel signing off
I have never exceeeded the speed limit at a 6speed organized drive and I do not recall any one else exceeding the limit or driving in a fashion that was not in accordance to the local, regional, state and federal laws.
And I am not sure that this thread is about the 6speed community and I would ask that we keep it that way.
thank you very much.
Perfect little angel signing off
Last edited by PJS; 07-29-2008 at 12:05 PM.