San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and Police Chief Anthony Mata are taking on the dangerous phenomenon of illegal sideshows. In an unprecedented move, they have reached out to prominent tech companies, urging these giants to collaborate in finding a solution for this issue. The mayor has sent letters to executives of Meta, parent company of Facebook and Instagram, as well as Snapchat and TikTok, requesting their assistance in preventing the promotion of illegal sideshows on social media platforms, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
In a joint announcement, Mayor Mahan and Chief Mata proposed a 30-day ban for individuals posting videos of sideshows for the first time. They further suggested that a lifetime ban should be imposed on repeated posters, as part of a comprehensive strategy against these activities. These plans were mentioned both on the mayor's Twitter feed and in the recent letter sent to the tech companies.
HAPPENING NOW: @SanJosePD Chief Anthony Mata, community leaders and I are announcing a new approach to stop sideshows. These dangerous events are often fueled by social media. I have sent a letter asking the largest companies to come to the table and help us create a safer city.… pic.twitter.com/TFmUxOD7P1
— Mayor Matt Mahan (@MattMahanSJ) August 31, 2023
Originating in Oakland and surrounding areas, sideshows are illegal gatherings of car enthusiasts who come together to perform stunts and other dangerous acts. These seemingly innocuous meetups have transformed into events often characterized by unruly crowds, injuries, and even death. The rise of social media platforms has, no doubt, had a significant part to play in the increasing popularity and negative impact of such gatherings.
Police officers are often outnumbered by sideshow participants, making it difficult to break up the gatherings, and matters are compounded when crowd members resort to hurling projectiles like bottles and firecrackers at authorities.
Previous attempts to halt sideshows have ranged from seizing participants' vehicles to doling out hefty fines, but no approach has demonstrated consistent success. Thus, San Jose now aims to enlist the help of tech companies in its fight against these dangerous events. "We all have a role to play in creating a safer city, and we are asking social media companies to join us in putting a stop to these illegal and often life-threatening activities," Mayor Mahan said in a statement.
A spokesperson for Mayor Mahan has confirmed that both the mayor and Chief Mata, along with representatives from Meta, Snapchat, and TikTok, are willing to come together at City Hall this month to discuss this pressing issue.
