Illegal sideshows took over multiple San Jose intersections on last night, with crowds flooding into the streets as drivers whipped through burnouts and donuts. Police acknowledged they were stretched too thin to hit every hotspot right away, so some of the risky stunts went on for several minutes before backup could move in.
Video from KTVU shows several separate gatherings around the city, along with a brief police statement noting the strain on resources. The station reported that officers had not yet released arrest figures, and city officials had not provided a full public breakdown by the time KTVU published its clip.
Why Police Say Response Was Limited
A department order from the San Jose Police Department shows patrol time off was tightly controlled around mid-June to cover World Cup-related demands, forcing supervisors to juggle staffing more carefully than usual. A follow-up report from the City Auditor also flagged chronic staffing shortages and growing overtime costs as ongoing problems that have been stretching the department.
Dangerous Trend Across The Bay Area
Officials say San Jose is not alone, with sideshows popping up more often and getting more dangerous across the Bay Area. In April, a video captured a stolen Camaro doing donuts in Hayward before slamming into a semitruck and knocking people off their feet, according to ABC7. In May, a massive Bay Bridge sideshow froze traffic and later led to felony charges, per the San Francisco Chronicle.
What Authorities Are Doing
City leaders and law enforcement officials say they are targeting both the organizers and the drivers who fuel illegal sideshows and are pushing for a more coordinated regional game plan. Departments have been ramping up cross-jurisdictional investigations and enforcement, helped by viral videos that made it easier to identify suspects.
San Jose police are asking anyone with video or information about the latest incidents to share it with investigators, and officials are again warning residents to steer clear of sideshow crowds and call 911 if they see dangerous, ongoing activity. The department’s news page lists how to submit tips and footage, per the San Jose Police Department.
