Oakland police are turning up the heat on illegal sideshows and impaired driving, warning that cars used in these events can be snatched and parked in the impound lot for up to 30 days. Working with regional law-enforcement partners, officials are urging drivers to avoid sideshow activity, take safer alternate routes when possible, and call 911 if they encounter a dangerous situation or are involved in a collision.
What OPD Posted
Yesterday, the department laid out its game plan on Facebook, sharing safety tips and enforcement warnings. The post tells the public not to engage with participants, not to try to stop a sideshow, and to call 911 for emergencies. Drivers are urged to look for safe alternate routes and not to contact individuals involved in a sideshow after a collision, according to the Oakland Police Department.
How Police Are Enforcing
A City of Oakland press release says OPD investigators, supported by the Flock camera system and regional partners, have identified and seized more than 70 vehicles so far this year. The release also says that in 2025, the department towed 195 vehicles and arrested 23 people on charges that include police evasion and reckless driving. “Participation in illegal sideshows in Oakland may result in your vehicle being towed and held for 30 days,” the release warns, outlining seizure warrants and cross-jurisdiction recovery efforts, according to the City of Oakland.
State Law Gives Officers More Power
State lawmakers and the governor signed bills last year that broaden vehicle-impound authority and clarify that sideshows and street takeovers can be treated as exhibitions of speed. Those rules let police seize cars used in such events, including in parking lots, and hold them for up to 30 days. Statutes such as AB 2186 and AB 3085 have been highlighted as key tools for local enforcement, as summarized by NBC Los Angeles.
Why a Regional Approach
Officials say a larger, coordinated response is needed because sideshows can quickly turn violent and spill over into neighboring cities. A Juneteenth sideshow near Lake Merritt last year descended into gunfire and left more than a dozen people wounded, a high-profile example that pushed agencies into closer collaboration, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.
What Drivers Should Do
OPD’s guidance is blunt: do not confront sideshow participants, do not try to recover vehicles or engage with spectators after a crash, and call 911 if there is an emergency or immediate safety threat. The department’s social messaging and city guidance say that motorists who safely record video can help investigators and that vehicles linked to illegal sideshows may be towed and held for 30 days, according to the City of Oakland…