Police and prosecutors Monday are expected to announce plans for putting the kibosh on the growing trend of street takeovers in Los Angeles.
Street takeovers, often associated with the looting of auto parts stores and other retail businesses that are typically closed when set upon by small mobs, have been a near-weekly occurrence in the city.
On Monday afternoon, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman will be joined by law enforcement officials at a press conference at the downtown Hall of Justice to provide information about reducing the illegal street takeovers.
The takeovers follow a typical pattern: auto enthusiasts block a stretch of a street, or sometimes even a freeway, while some do donuts or spin their tires in a smoky display of power. Several takeovers, like one in the 4300 block of South Main Street near Vernon Avenue in South Los Angeles, have ended with a nearby store being looted.
In that case, the culprits left behind a large amount of broken glass along with scattered merchandise in the store’s parking lot.
In 2022, the Los Angeles Police Department was forced to shut down the 6th Street Viaduct, a 3,500-foot bridge between Boyle Heights and downtown Los Angeles two weeks after it opened because it was such a popular spot for takeovers reminiscent of the ”Fast and Furious” movies.