Latest news with #streettakeovers
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Franklin illegal fireworks raid, 'street takeovers' investigation
The Brief Federal agents raided a Franklin home as part of an illegal fireworks investigation. The investigation was tied to "street takeovers," during which fireworks are used. Newly unsealed warrants show the investigation focused on a 20-year-old man. FRANKLIN, Wis. - Federal agents raided a Franklin home on Thursday night as part of an illegal fireworks investigation tied to "street takeovers." What we know Newly unsealed warrants show the investigation focused on a 20-year-old man. No charges have been filed, but the suspect is believed to be associated with street takeovers, during which fireworks are used. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android Agents with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives searched a home on Heatheridge Court. They found 13 commercial-grade mortar shells, 33 flash devices and nine three-inch homemade mortar shells. Dig deeper Milwaukee leaders said street takeovers include speeding cars, burnouts, fireworks and huge crowds. The events, often fueled by social media, can block intersections as spectators watch cars perform reckless acts. In May, the Milwaukee Police Department said it would conduct directed patrol missions – five teams on the north side, five on the south side – in an effort to curb the events. MPD also created a map of 52 locations where takeovers were happening. The Source FOX6 News obtained documents filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin and referenced prior coverage of street takeovers for information in this report.
Auto Blog
3 days ago
- Auto Blog
Street Takeover Participants & Spectators Could Soon Be Hit With Steep Fines
Doubling the fine — and applying it spectators — is L.A. County's latest tactic for quelling late-night sideshows before someone else gets hurt. L.A. County wants to curb the chaos Street takeovers — where crowds block off intersections so drivers can pull stunts like donuts, burnouts, and drifts — have become a hallmark of Southern California's underground car culture. But now, L.A. County is drawing a hard line. A new proposal would double the fine for participating in or even watching a takeover, raising it from $500 to $1,000, the Los Angeles Times reported. The idea isn't just to hit drivers in the wallet; it's also aimed at the crowd. Spectators fuel the vibe, create cover for drivers, and generate social media content that keeps the trend alive. By making it costly just to show up, officials hope to tamp down the spectacle altogether. The scene's not just sketchy — it's getting deadly Takeovers might look like Fast & Furious-style fun, but they've turned increasingly dangerous. County officials point to a rise in fatal crashes, shootings, and torched vehicles tied to these events. In some neighborhoods, families say they hear engines bouncing off rev limiters just blocks from their front doors. Supervisor Holly Mitchell, whose district includes cities like Compton, Inglewood, and Carson, introduced the measure and stated that the issue is personal for many residents. In one recent tragedy, a woman in Pomona was killed during a suspected street-racing crash. Stories like that have become too common. The crackdown extends to your feed The proposed ordinance doesn't stop with street-level enforcement. It also calls on social media platforms to enforce their own community standards and remove content that promotes illegal activity, specifically, takeover clips that rack up views and ad dollars. Officials want platforms to demonetize those videos and cut off the oxygen that keeps the culture going viral. A surge in takeovers, but only in some places Interestingly, while street takeover reports have dropped in most of L.A. County, Mitchell's district saw a sharp rise — from 191 incidents between July and September to 297 from October through December. County officials credit some of the decline elsewhere to a coordinated task force that includes law enforcement, city leaders, and community groups working to intervene early and redesign problem intersections. Mitchell's district is still playing catch-up, and that's part of why she's pushing hard for tougher penalties. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Why car enthusiasts everywhere should care If you're a car enthusiast, the rise in takeovers and the resulting crackdown might hit close to home, even if you're not in Southern California. Similar events have popped up across the country, and cities are watching each other to figure out what works. San Jose, Atlanta, Chicago, and Houston are all places that have seen sideshows spark community backlash and new legislation. Infiniti G37 drifting takeover Final thoughts The L.A. County Board of Supervisors gave the proposed fine increase a thumbs-up this week, but it still needs one more vote to become law. If approved, the new penalties could go into effect later this year. There's also talk of broader reforms — everything from hardened centerlines at takeover hotspots to possibly creating safe, legal alternatives for car enthusiasts. For now, though, the message is clear: if you're planning to show up at a sideshow in L.A., even just to watch, you might want to think twice. Your next post could come with a $1,000 price tag. About the Author Elijah Nicholson-Messmer View Profile
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
New app arrives in Tampa, aiming to keep community informed with help of artificial intelligence
The Brief Tampa police have reported a spike in recent street takeovers and racing. St. Pete police have reported an uptick in youth gun violence. The Citizen public safety app has expand its services to the Tampa Bay market. TAMPA, Fla. - An app expansion using artifical intelligence and a dedicated team has arrived in Tampa, allowing neighbors to keep each other in the loop. It's called the Citizen app. "If there's something you want to share with your community that can help keep your neighbors safe, you can certainly do that on Citizen," Juliana Pignataro, the director of distribution, said. The backstory The Citizen app has been making waves in major metropolitan areas for nearly a decade, including Orlando. The app has gotten feedback from residents to come to Tampa. Now safety alerts, live video, and an array of other features are now available. "Citizen has a 24/7 team with help from AI with multiple information streams, so anything posted from law enforcement, announcements from missing people, missing pets, severe weather to generate citizen alerts," she said. Dig deeper Earlier this year, Tampa police reported a decline in violent crimes like murder and robbery. But, they've seen an uptick in street takeovers and drag racing. St. Pete Police reported an increase in youth gun violence and car burglaries involving guns. All are incidents that can be reported on the app. The app also shares updates on severe weather and can be used as a tool during this hurricane season for damage and flooding. "Our goal is to be as transparent as possible with people in the community so that people understand what's happening around them and have the information they need to stay safe and keep their loved ones safe," she said. To learn more, click here. The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Jennifer Kveglis. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
