ANTIOCHAntioch police and Mayor Lamar Thorpe have said they will take a “zero-tolerance approach” to stop the illegal road activities plaguing the area, and this weekend they will partner with neighboring police to be sure none occurs.
Antioch police, along with Brentwood Police Department, Pittsburg Police Department, Oakley Police Department and California Highway Patrol will conduct joint traffic enforcement efforts Friday through Sunday to deter potential sideshows and other reckless driving, Antioch interim Police Chief Steven Ford said in a statement on Thursday.
Police also plan to conduct vehicle emissions inspections. Any vehicles found with illegal emissions equipment will be referred to a California Smog Referee for further review.
“Don’t come to Antioch because we will be waiting for you with the full force of the Antioch Police Department or its allied agencies to ensure that that (sideshow) does not happen in our community,” Thorpe warned potential sideshow participants recently.
Citations of $300 and impound fees of $3,000 await those participating in rideouts, he said earlier.
Pittsburg meanwhile recently passed a measure making it illegal to spectate at sideshows, with fines up to $1,000.
Chief Ford said this weekend’s detail with outlying agencies was formed in response to information residents provided regarding a sideshow that was planned in the East County area.
Antioch police, in a statement, thanked law enforcement partners and residents who helped in the APD’s investigations.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at 925-778-2441 or text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.
Source: www.mercurynews.com