Philadelphia Police Crack Down on Illegal Side Shows, Impound Cars

Philadelphia Police are taking decisive action to combat the growing problem of illegal side shows in their city. Using video footage, they are targeting the vehicles involved and impounding them after the events. In some cases, the police may even get to keep the seized cars.

The city witnessed several illegal car meets and side shows on September 16th and 17th. A new law empowers the police to locate and impound cars used in such events long after they have taken place. The Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) wasted no time in announcing their efforts on social media.

In a series of posts on Twitter, the PPD shared images of the impounded vehicles. One of the photos featured a lime green Dodge Charger with black racing stripes. The first picture showed the Dodge at one of the side shows, while the subsequent images depicted it being loaded onto a flatbed tow truck. The PPD emphasized that there is still more work to be done and revealed that they had retrieved the car from New Jersey, indicating that crossing state lines would not deter them.

On September 20th, the PPD posted another set of photos, this time featuring a blue Infiniti coupe at a side show event. As with the previous tweet, the subsequent images showed the car being transported on a flatbed. The police hinted that there were more impoundments to come.

According to PhillyVoice.com, the police are targeting at least one more vehicle from the same set of events. They explained that obtaining just one video of a car involved in one event might not be sufficient evidence. In the case of the Charger, officers were able to link the same car with identical modifications to multiple events in the area over several months. However, they have not yet contacted or charged the registered owner, as they have yet to prove that they were driving the car during the event.

While the legal implications of these impoundments are yet to be determined, the fines imposed on the owners are substantial. Towing the car costs $175, with an additional $25 per day for the first five days of impoundment, and $30 per day thereafter. It is expected that the owner’s lawyer will contest these fines in court.

It is worth noting that Philadelphia is not the only city employing this tactic. Louisville Police made headlines when they implemented a similar strategy in June.

The crackdown on illegal side shows is part of a broader effort by law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety and discourage dangerous and illegal activities on public roads. Side shows, which involve drivers performing stunts and reckless maneuvers, pose a significant risk to both participants and innocent bystanders. By impounding the vehicles involved, the police hope to send a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated.

The Philadelphia Police Department’s use of social media to publicize their efforts is an effective way to raise awareness among the community and deter potential participants. The images shared on Twitter serve as a visual reminder of the consequences faced by those who engage in illegal side shows.

As the PPD continues its crackdown on illegal side shows, it remains to be seen how effective these measures will be in curbing this dangerous activity. However, one thing is clear: Philadelphia Police are determined to make their city’s streets safer for everyone by targeting and impounding the cars involved in these illegal events.