Sunday night in South L.A., Broadway turned into an impromptu stunt strip as a massive street takeover packed the stretch between Adams Boulevard and Washington Boulevard, shutting down the main roadway and spilling into nearby side streets. Drivers and motorcyclists spun and swerved for a crowd of spectators before officers moved in and cleared the scene in roughly 30 minutes.
What happened on Broadway
Raw video and reporting from OnScene show more than 100 vehicles, including cars and motorcycles, clogging Broadway between Adams and Washington as drivers performed donuts, burnouts, and wheelies. Footage and eyewitness accounts describe traffic cones knocked over, smoke drifting across the roadway, and the block left littered with trash, debris, and fresh skid marks once the crowd finally broke up.
City response and the bigger picture
The latest shutdown comes amid a recent wave of illegal "street takeover" events across Los Angeles that have prompted stepped-up patrols and special enforcement. Earlier this month, Mayor Karen Bass ordered an LAPD surge downtown after a separate late-night takeover spilled into a luxury apartment building, according to the Los Angeles Times, part of a string of incidents that officials say jeopardize public safety and property.
Legal consequences and warnings
Prosecutors and police have repeatedly warned that participants, organizers, and even spectators at these unsanctioned events can face criminal charges, ranging from reckless-driving misdemeanors to felony counts if someone is injured. "If you treat our streets like your own personal playground, you will find yourself in a courtroom," District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a county news release about the crackdown on takeovers, which lays out potential charges and penalties for offenders.
How to report tips
The LAPD’s Street Racing Task Force investigates illegal takeovers and asks anyone with video or information to call (213) 833-3746 or use the non-emergency tip line at 1-877-LAPD-24-7, according to the department. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers to support ongoing investigations and potential prosecutions.
