In response to the recent increase in sideshow activity and street racing in Hayward, California, a multiagency enforcement operation was launched by the Regional Side Show Enforcement Team (RESET), according to an announcement on the City of Hayward website. Comprised of officers from the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, Hayward Police Department, San Leandro Police Department, and California Highway Patrol's Hayward Area Office, RESET conducted targeted enforcement on Saturday, July 8, 2023.
RESET operations are held on a monthly basis, focusing on different geographical areas based on intelligence about pre-planned sideshow and racing events or specific needs within a jurisdiction. The goal is to prevent street races or sideshow events from being established, provide safer roads for those traveling through areas, conduct traffic enforcement, and make arrests when applicable for violations such as firearms possession, outstanding warrants, and illegal drug possession.
The need for intervention was heightened by recent incidents in Hayward, where two separate sideshow-related shootings occurred during the Fourth of July holiday, resulting in one fatality. In light of these events, last weekend's RESET operation took place in Hayward, aiming to create a safer environment for the community.
The results spotlighted in the announcement were remarkable: 82 traffic stops, 35 citations, 12 vehicles towed, one recovered stolen vehicle, and 14 total arrests, including three felonies, 11 misdemeanors, two sideshow arrests, and seven DUI arrests. Additionally, RESET officers recovered two firearms during the operation.
The success of this multiagency collaboration signifies the importance of addressing and mitigating sideshow activities and street racing, which have been causing safety concerns for residents and law enforcement alike. The continued efforts of the RESET team showcase a unified commitment to creating safer streets and neighborhoods across the Bay Area, while also sending a clear message to those who engage in these dangerous and illegal activities.
