The Oakland Police Department cracked down on illegal sideshow activities over the weekend, according to a report from their official Facebook page. The operations, which unfolded late Saturday night into Sunday morning, involved rapid-response measures to disperse and apprehend participants of the unsanctioned events that attracted a large assembly of vehicles and onlookers near Grand Avenue and Lake Park Avenue.

What started as a large congregation of about 300 vehicles and roughly 200 spectators swiftly evolved into a game of cat and mouse throughout the city. Oakland Police, aided by their airborne unit ARGUS, monitored the movements of the crowd from above. The sideshow participants migrated from one location to another, eventually dispersing into various parts of Oakland and, subsequently, into neighboring cities. But the police were quick on their heels, "OPD conducted seven traffic stops, which led to the arrest of five individuals, the recovery of three firearms, and the towing of three vehicles", according to the Oakland Police Department.

With these events posing not only public safety risks but also congregating points for violent activities, the OPD is determined to tackle the issue head-on. Enforcement tactics were not just limited to the scenes of the sideshows, as officers were preparing to track down additional vehicles involved using registration details. "Once identified, investigators may go to the homes where the vehicles are registered and tow those vehicles", the Oakland Police Department outlined, reflecting the department's zero-tolerance stance on sideshow participation.

Recognizing the complexity of the matter, OPD noted their ongoing collaboration with community organizations, various law enforcement partners, and city departments. Together, they aim to brainstorm and implement coherent, long-term measures to curb not only illegal sideshows but also the associated and often resultant criminal acts. This response is part of a broader proactive approach that the City of Oakland is gradually nurturing to ensure the well-being and safety of its residents.