Long Beach police say a weekend blitz on illegal street takeovers scattered crowds and sent a clear message that the party is over for sideshows on city streets.
According to the Long Beach Police Department, officers disrupted several coordinated gatherings across the city between last Friday and Monday. The operation led to one arrest, 11 citations for vehicle-code violations, and three vehicles towed. Police Chief Wally Hebeish reiterated that the department will not tolerate illegal motor vehicle exhibitions in Long Beach.
The person arrested, identified by police as Kristopher Scott Molick, was booked on suspicion of failing to yield as a pedestrian, obstructing a peace officer, illegal possession of fireworks without a permit, and possessing an unregistered vehicle. He was later released on his own recognizance, as reported by the Long Beach Post.
Street Takeovers Keep Pushing Long Beach’s Luck
Police say the latest operation is part of a larger pattern that has put neighborhoods on edge in recent months. One Feb. 9 takeover that left a car on fire highlighted just how quickly these events can spiral.
Earlier this year, a separate takeover was tied to a shooting, according to Long Beach Local News. Local television outlets have also documented looting and property damage at some of these pop-up spectacles, with CBS Los Angeles showing how nearby businesses have been vandalized during the chaos. Officials say scenes like that are exactly why they are tightening enforcement.
Police Promise More Tickets, Tows, and Seizures
The department described last weekend’s actions as part of “coordinated enforcement” and signaled it is only ramping up. Hebeish said, “The blatant disregard of vehicle code laws and road safety is unacceptable and can lead to catastrophic traffic collisions.” Officers say they will keep leaning on citations and tows to break up future gatherings.
As the department has done before, officers said they will continue to seize vehicles and pursue arrests where appropriate, according to reporting by the Long Beach Post, and a prior Long Beach Police Department press release outlines similar seizure operations tied to street racing and takeover crackdowns.
City records show the Long Beach City Council moved in 2021 to draft an ordinance targeting spectators at street takeovers, and the municipal code that followed gives officers additional tools to deter attendance and seize vehicles. The city has continued to refine its enforcement options through council meetings and budget documents as takeovers persisted, according to City of Long Beach records.
Looking ahead, officers say they plan to maintain a visible presence at known hotspots and keep running coordinated operations when takeovers pop up. The department is urging anyone with video or tips to contact the Long Beach Police Department or use its online tips portal; the agency’s press page lists contact information and instructions for submitting evidence.
