KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Following a night filled with chaos due to street racing around Kansas City, Missouri, the city's police department issued a clear message.
"We want it to stop" KCPD Capt. Dave Jackson said. "Several of them have ended in violence where somebody has been shot. I know that there have been homicides associated with this."
Last September, six people were injured during one of these events.
Within days of that event, 19-year-old Daisy Martinez was killed after an event celebrating Mexican Independence Day turned deadly.
The illegal street racing has occurred citywide, including downtown, midtown, the northeast and in the east side of the city.
KCPD said there were shots fired and fireworks set off at several of these locations.
"I think that people are concerned, they see cars driving like maniacs," Jackson said. "These people are driving in a way that is so selfish that they don't realize that they are sharing these streets with the rest of the city."
KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas, along with KCPD, has worked to address sideshows by revising an ordinance thatwould impound vehicles involved in stunts.
Tuesday, the department put that technique into play, towing about 18 vehicles.
However, the department said it still faces enforcement challenges.
"What is the safest way to get these folks in custody?" Jackson said. "I don't think that chasing these cars through the street makes it safer."
Still, he said the department is working on it.
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