After a viral “takeover,” City Council hears from police, public meets in cars – Metro Philadelphia

The City Council heard testimony Tuesday about car meetings, a little more than a week after “driving” drivers and spectators took over intersections and parking lots across Philadelphia, leading to viral videos and drawing national attention.

Clips and photos – collected from social media and distributed by law enforcement – show a man holding up a machine gun-style firearm; groups descending on police cruisers; and dangerous vehicle stunts.

Four suspects, including two people from outside the Philadelphia area, were arrested in connection with the chaotic series of events. Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore told deputies that investigators had identified more than 40 cars involved in the meetings, also known as “sideshows” and “takeovers.”

“We’re going to make a lot more arrests,” he added. “Vehicles are recovered every day.”

Vanore said police are investigating the organizers of the event. If organizers make money from the meetings, they could face serious charges under the state's version of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, he said.

The PPD is exploring the use of drones, spike strips and automatic license plate readers in response to car hijackings, Assistant Police Commissioner Francis Healy told council.

Healy said the department's strategy was to “control and contain” the meetings. Police must balance public safety and quality of life, he continued; Therefore, officers are instructed to avoid escalating the situation or engaging in high-speed chases.

“It’s not worth killing anyone,” Healy testified. “It’s not worth hurting someone.”

Police leaders have already met with the American Civil Liberties Union and the Defender's Association of Philadelphia about drones, Healy said, and the technology is expected to be deployed “in the next month or so.” According to the authorities, the devices are currently being tested.

Drones would be used to track suspects as they fled without pursuing them in patrol cars, he added. Healy said spike strips could be placed around the perimeter of a meeting to prevent escape.

Top PPD administrators praised a “nuisance vehicle” ordinance that went into effect last year. The law allows officers to stop vehicles involved in takeovers; to temporarily confiscate them as evidence; and fine riders up to $2,000. Others in the audience, including spectators, may also be issued a $300 ticket.

Assistant Police Commissioner Mike Cram said officers began enforcing the policy through notices of code violations about two months ago.

It was not immediately clear whether new legislation will emerge from Tuesday's committee hearing or in response to the chaotic scenes that unfolded over several hours on September 21 and 22.

Council member Quetcy Lozada said she believes authorities must hold accountable drivers, vehicle owners and business owners who do not properly secure their parking spaces.

“Unfortunately, we need to start with very strong enforcement efforts and the optics will not be appealing,” she added. “As a Legislature, we need to figure that out and accept it.”

PPD has a Car Hit Task Force active on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays to respond to calls. Most of the time, Cram said, participants quickly disperse when the first patrol car arrives at the scene.

However, at larger meetings like the one held last month, larger coordinated groups equipped with videographers tried to assert themselves, he explained.

Cram said incidents involving dirt bikes and ATVs have decreased recently, which police attribute to an increased impound initiative.

Tuesday's hearing served as a brainstorming session where lawmakers and residents made recommendations to curb takeovers and other dangerous driving behaviors.

Shaun Cerborino of Fairmount said major intersections should be redesigned with roundabouts or islands to prevent encounters with cars. Council member Nina Ahmad questioned whether hotspot areas could be closed on weekends.

In addition, Center City residents, many of whom live near City Hall or along Benjamin Franklin Parkway, called on the City Council to do more to combat motorcycle racing and loud cars.

“Illegal racing is part of a larger public vehicle safety problem in our city, and a lack of enforcement only exacerbates it,” said Dennis Boylan, former president of the Logan Square Neighbors Association.

Members of the public encouraged the city to take a coordinated effort to ticket motorcyclists and drivers with modified mufflers. The noise was hard to endure, and the same people often speeded and ignored stop signs and red lights, they said.

Harriet Williams claimed the issue was an almost daily problem for her and her neighbors at the Philadelphian, an apartment complex near the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

“For ten years we have been told to call 911; “It will set a record,” Williams told Council. “I suspect there are tens of thousands of calls about this issue. We're still talking about it. The motorcycles are still going too fast.”