In the early hours of New Year's Eve, Vallejo was thrown into chaos as a massive sideshow turned fiery, Vallejo police responding to calls about the gathering at Sonoma Blvd. and Lemon St. found three cars ablaze amid a 200-vehicle fray marked by gunshots and fireworks, the situation quickly escalated as both police and fire units rushed to contain the tumult that had seized the streets.
The Vallejo Police Department, assisted by the Solano County Sheriff's Office, intervened in the melee and the Vallejo Fire Department doused the flames. Authorities emphasize the stiff penalties on those caught in the whirlwind of sideshow excitement, with vehicle impoundments for 30 days and a hefty price tag on freedom.
On their Facebook page, the Vallejo Police Department breakdown the cost for those caught up in the sideshow spectacles, participants not only face arrest under local ordinance 8.74.040 but also financial burdens, including a tow release fee from the Vallejo Police Department at $339, plus a $300 tow from the scene fee, storage fees totaling $60 per day, and after-hour tow fees adding up to $150, a tally ringing in at approximately $2,589 after the tumultuous revelries have subsided.
Vallejo's ordinance 8.74.040 is clear, making it illegal for any individual to knowingly be present as a spectator at street races or reckless driving exhibitions, whether on public streets or in off-street parking facilities. The law also extends to penalizing those knowingly present where preparations for such events are taking place. The Vallejo Police Department urges the public to remain aware of these regulations and steer clear of activities that put themselves and others at risk.
