LAPD officers were pulled away from a serious Skid Row investigation Monday morning after more than 50 vehicles took over a Downtown Los Angeles intersection, with drivers spinning donuts as crowds gathered around them.
In a community advisory posted Monday, LAPD Central Division said officers were assisting multiple victims in Skid Row when they were called to the street takeover at 12th Street and Figueroa. Officers attempted to stop at least one vehicle, but the driver refused to yield and fled.
Figueroa And 12th Had Already Been Flagged For Takeovers
The corner is not a random blip on the city's street-takeover map. A March 11 motion filed with the Los Angeles City Clerk said a March 8 takeover at the same intersection drew a large crowd into the public right-of-way, disrupted traffic late into the night and placed the location among 50 spots citywide flagged for street-racing activity.
The latest incident comes as officials try to make participation more expensive. In a July 2 release, Los Angeles County said drivers, organizers and promoters could face fines of up to $1,000, while warning that recent takeovers elsewhere in the county had involved a fatal shooting, blocked neighborhood streets and burning vehicles.
Downtown Police Resources Have Already Been Expanded
Downtown police resources had already been expanded this year after a separate takeover spilled into a luxury apartment lobby near the Figueroa and L.A. Live corridor. Hoodline previously reported that the crowd damaged the building's exterior and confronted staff, while CBS Los Angeles said the LAPD response included patrol cars, mounted officers, foot patrols and undercover units.
The added presence has not stopped similar gatherings from moving across the region. The Los Angeles Times reported in March that LAPD responded to three street takeovers in less than 24 hours, including one that trapped a Metro maintenance bus while people climbed onto it and blocked the intersection.
Investigators Are Reviewing Photos And Videos
The LAPD advisory said photos and videos from Monday's takeover were being directed to the department's Street Racing Task Force for prosecution. That means bystander footage could become central to identifying the vehicle and driver who refused to stop.
The advisory did not announce arrests or charges, and officials did not provide additional details about the separate Skid Row investigation. For now, the incident highlights a particularly stark public-safety problem: a street spectacle diverted officers from another active investigation involving people who already needed help.
