UPDATE: PPB Officers Successfully Prevent Large-Scale Street Takeovers, Make Arrests, Tow Cars, Seize Guns (Photo)
-04/20/25
Saturday night’s street racing prevention mission successfully disrupted efforts of participants to conduct any large-scale street takeovers.
On the evening of Saturday, April 19, 2025, mission units proactively sought out street takeover gatherings and began conducting lawful traffic violation stops on drivers. The following statistics are preliminary and may change after additional reports come in.
Of the 37 traffic stops made, six drivers attempted to elude. There was one traffic pursuit. Almost all of the eluding drivers were caught and arrested and their cars were towed. Seven people were arrested, 32 traffic citations were written, nine vehicles were towed (including one that is in the criminal forfeiture process). Four firearms were seized. Suspects were charged with crimes ranging from Reckless Driving, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Attempt to Elude Police by Vehicle, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Loaded Firearm in a Public Place (city code), and Driving While Suspended.
PPB is sincerely grateful for the assistance of our partner agencies, including the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, the Vancouver Police Department, and the Gresham Police Department.
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***Original Message Below***
The Portland Police Bureau has learned of a planned illegal street racing/street takeover event scheduled for Saturday night and will be conducting a special enforcement mission to address this dangerous behavior.
The event, deemed “Swing into Easter” and “PDX is Everyone,” is expected to draw people from across the region. PPB will use personnel from multiple units and additional resources to address criminal behavior. PPB wants to remind participants that street takeovers can result in jail time, fines, tows, and forfeited vehicles.
“Street racing and street takeovers are dangerous and pose a safety risk to our community,” said Chief Bob Day. “This reckless behavior endangers not only the participants but also innocent drivers who share the road, turning what should be a normal commute into potentially life-threatening situations. Our officers will be taking decisive enforcement action this weekend to address this illegal behavior.”
You can watch a video here of a past mission.
PPB has worked with our partners at the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office to pursue criminal forfeiture of cars involved in certain circumstances, meaning the owners could lose their cars permanently. Under the new Reckless Driving law (811.140), a vehicle used in a street racing-like activity is subject to criminal forfeiture. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is coordinating with PPB to use criminal forfeiture to, where appropriate, prevent these drivers from retrieving their vehicles. Since the law went into effect, four vehicles have been forfeited, three have been returned to lien holders, and five remain in the forfeiture process.
It's not just the drivers that can face consequences. ORS 811.127 addresses individuals who are facilitating or aiding another to engage in speed racing on a highway or reckless driving and individuals who obstruct or place a barricade on a highway or assist with placing an obstruction or barricade on a highway. The first offense is a misdemeanor while the second offense is a felony if committed within five years of the first offense.
In addition to that state statute and others, Portland City Code addresses this dangerous activity.
1. Unlawful street takeover event means an activity that is:
a. Unpermitted;
b. Preplanned or contemporaneously coordinated by two or more persons; and
c. Involves one or more persons demonstrating, exhibiting, or comparing the maneuverability or power of one or more motor vehicles in a curved direction, in a circular direction, or around corners, including but not limited to by breaking traction in a curved or circular direction or around corners.
2. A person commits the offense of an Unlawful Street Takeover if, in a public place or upon a highway, the person knowingly operates a motor vehicle while engaged in an unlawful street takeover event.
3.1. Highway means the entire width of a public right-of-way when any portion thereof is intended for motor vehicle movement or motor vehicle access to abutting property.
3.2. Public place means an area, whether publicly or privately owned, generally open to the public and includes, without limitation, the grounds surrounding buildings or dwellings, streets, sidewalks, bridges, tunnels, alleys, plazas, parks, driveways, and parking lots.
The Portland Police Bureau has updated its vehicle towing policy and now authorizes towing vehicles of drivers operating without valid driving privileges and lack of insurance, and to address street takeovers.
The Bureau recently substantially revised Directive 0630.60, Vehicle Dispositions. Most significantly, the revised directive has the following changes:
- The directive authorizes towing for certain offenses, such as unlicensed drivers, suspended drivers, and lack of insurance.
2) The directive authorizes towing for violating new Portland City Code, 14A.30.080, Unlawful Street Takeover and Unlawful Staging of a Street Takeover Event.
3) The directive provides new guidance on responding to stolen vehicles reported at tow lots, temporary holds for VIN inspections, and abandoned vehicle towing.
- The most noteworthy change to revised Directive 0630.60 is the newly authorized towing for certain offenses such as driving uninsured, suspended, without a license, or in a street takeover pursuant to a new Portland City Code provision, 14A.30.080. This change brings the Bureau in line with both neighboring law enforcement agency common practice and state law authorization for towing. Additionally, the change was supported in public comments and among internal subject matter experts and stakeholders within the Bureau, and will serve as an additional tool for the Bureau to increase traffic safety.
- While the policy allows for tows in circumstances where they were not permitted before, the policy does not require them in most cases. The policy specifically encourages Police Bureau members to exercise discretion in impounding vehicles under circumstances that may create undue hardship or risk to the occupants. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to: the presence of young children, elderly, or disabled persons; vehicles equipped for use by such persons; and vehicles used as homes.
Members of the public are encouraged, before driving on public roads, to verify that their driver's license is current and valid and that they have current proof of insurance.
PPB has previously released a video about this ordinance. See it here.
Photo description: Photo of yellow vehicle seized in a prior mission
Photo of Black vehicle with officer talking to driver from prior mission
Photo of suspect handcuffed from prior mission
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