The Vallejo Police Department (VPD) has officially joined forces with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to tackle the issue of reckless driving and sideshows plaguing the streets of Vallejo. This initiative was set in motion with the approval of Governor Gavin Newsom as part of a larger effort backed by recently passed legislation designed to up the ante against such hazardous behavior on the roads.
Details from the Vallejo Police Department's announcement point to new laws that give the police broader powers. Key assembly bills signed into law by Newsom include AB 1978, which allows for the impoundment of vehicles involved in illegal racing or exhibitions on the spot, regardless of whether the driver is arrested, and AB 2186, which closes loopholes by enabling the impounding of vehicles within off-street parking spaces utilized for the same reckless purposes.
Additionally, AB 2807 establishes a uniform definition for "sideshows" and "street takeovers," AB 3085 grants officers authority to secure warrants for the seizure and impoundment of vehicles tied to sideshow events. Valiant efforts are set to become common, with CHP officers bolstering VPD's presence during high-risk times on weekends. "These additional resources will allow us to expand our efforts using both traditional and non-traditional enforcement strategies," said Chief Ta, per the Vallejo Police Department.
