06-05-2025
Massive sideshow operation in San Joaquin County leads to more than 700 stops, 150 cars towed
( — Law enforcement in San Joaquin County hosted a 'zero-tolerance' sideshow operation that led to a massive amount of citations, arrests, and vehicle impounds over Cinco De Mayo weekend.
'As the weather gets nicer, we tend to see more sideshow activity,' Stockton Police Officer Omer Edhah told 'We had seen sideshows in other cities starting up so we took a proactive zero-tolerance approach on the issue.'
What is a sideshow and why is California law enforcement cracking down on them?
The Stockton Police Department partnered with several agencies, including the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, Manteca Police Department, Lathrop Police Department, and Escalon Police Department, to conduct enforcement in potential sideshow-known areas.
In just two days, Friday and Saturday, police made more than 700 traffic stops for violations or illegal modifications, issued 620 citations, impounded more than 155 vehicles, and made more than 33 arrests, according to SPD. Sunday's results have not yet been released.
'A ton of work was done in the background weeks in advance,' Edhah said.
Law enforcement said this time of year is typically the start of sideshow season. Because of this, additional sideshow crackdown operations are in the works.
'These sideshows can be dangerous to life and property,' Edhah said. 'We have seen the criminal element introduced during these gatherings where shootings have occurred, and firearms and drugs being involved.'
He added, 'Great property damage occurs to roadways and buildings during these sideshows. We want to thank the community for their continued support, and we want to send a message to sideshow participants that Stockton is not a place to conduct them.'
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