BOSTON (WBSM) — State Representative Chris Markey has filed legislation aimed at curbing the “street takeovers” that have recently plagued Massachusetts communities, in which large numbers of vehicles descend upon a community and drive recklessly in an organized effort.
Rep. Markey’s Proposed Legislation
The legislation, if passed, would give law enforcement the power to do something Markey feels will really be a deterrent to such events taking place in the future.
“When you look at what they do and what their prized possession is, it’s their car,” Markey told WBSM’s Chris McCarthy Monday. “They fix up their car, they make it loud, tint the windows, all the stuff and money they put into the car, there is no mechanism to be able to seize that at this point.”
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“An Act Relative to Protecting the Public From Street Takeovers,” or HD5220, was filed by Markey (D-Dartmouth) “in response to the rash of dangerous street takeover events across the Commonwealth” and would allow law enforcement to seize the vehicles involved.
He said that “there are plenty of laws we could charge them with” when it comes to the reckless operation of motor vehicles and the risks posed to public safety – such as when the vehicles blocked an ambulance in Fall River or those involved burned a police car in Boston after shooting fireworks at it – but that none have the same impact as taking the vehicle would…