No subject better illustrates the serious philosophical and political divide in Richmond than the subjects of sideshows. Wikipedia defines “sideshow” as, “an informal demonstration of automotive stunts now often held in vacant lots, and public intersections, most often in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, United States. Sideshows first appeared in Oakland, California in the 1980s as informal social gatherings of youth.”

California law defines a sideshow as, “an event involving at least two vehicles that block traffic for the purpose of performing stunts, speed contests or reckless driving for an audience.”  A sideshow is differentiated from the practice of making “donuts,” which typically involves a single vehicle and no spectators.

Both are considered reckless driving  and are illegal under current local and state laws.

There are essentially three types of attitudes about sideshows in Richmond, which are also reflected by divided City Council members:

1. Sideshows are loud, scary, dangerous and an unwarranted intrusion on residents and the community. Participants are typically from out of town, and the police should use a combination of law enforcement to prosecute participants and “engineering” solutions (such as roundabouts and “Bots dots” to deter them. Complaints typically come from residents in the Hilltop, El Sobrante and Marina Bay Neighborhoods. This approach is supported by Nat Bates and me.
2. Sideshows are undesirable, but participants, especially spectators, should not be criminalized. Passive “engineering” solutions (such as roundabouts and “Bots dots”) are acceptable to deter sideshows in locations where they are not welcome. This appears to be supported by Gayle McLaughlin and Claudia Jimenez. I’m not sure where Melvin Willis is on this. This is supported by many of the RPA-affiliated people, including some members of the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force who are loath to criminalize almost anything or involve the police in enforcing laws.
3. Sideshows are a desirable, or at least acceptable, cultural phenomenon largely involving young people who have nothing else to do. Sideshows are a valued part of  “car culture” in California with a long history and should be recognized as legitimate. There should be places available for sideshows to occur that are off public streets and safe, perhaps even sponsored and encouraged by the City. This seems to be supported by Eduardo Martinez and Demnlus Johnson, as well as many of the most radical RPA-affiliated persons in Richmond.

Last night the City Council directed City staff to increase the use of engineering solutions in neighborhoods where such methods would be acceptable to residents. That was the best we could get  a consensus on.

Gov. Newsom signs law increasing penalty for illegal sideshows in California

COLIN ATAGI
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
October 8, 2021

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill that increases the penalty for participating in illegal vehicle sideshows, which police say have been prevalent and disrupted residential areas across Santa Rosa in recent weeks.

The bipartisan bill paves the way for judges to suspend driver’s licenses for up to six months if someone is convicted of participating in the events that typically involve drivers performing stunts in the middle of roads.

“We’re going to be supportive of any initiative or law that deters people from participating in sideshows because of how dangerous they are,“ Santa Rosa police Sgt. Chris Mahurin said.

The bill also establishes the first legal definition for “sideshow” and identifies it as an event involving at least two vehicles that block traffic for the purpose of performing stunts, speed contests or reckless driving for an audience.

“Illegal sideshows continue to devastate families, claim innocent lives in our communities, and create serious risks for our youth,” Assemblyman Vince Fong, R- Kern County, said in a statement. “Proactive enforcement is critical to stopping dangerous sideshows before they start.”

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Fong introduced the bill, but it was co-authored by State Assembly members Laura Friedman, Jesse Gabriel and Adrin Nazarian, and state Sen. Susan Rubio.

All are Democrats from Southern California.

According to Fong’s office, the CHP responded to more than 25,000 calls involving illegal street racing activity last year. In Bakersfield, which is part of Fong’s district, police received more than 6,000 calls in 2020.

In Santa Rosa, there have been more than 80 calls regarding sideshows this year, Mahurin said.

Police say they’ve responded to numerous sideshows this year involving small numbers of vehicles. But larger events have taken place on a few occasions, including two that attracted hundreds of people and dozens of vehicles to the intersection of Sebastopol Road and West Avenue on Aug. 27 and Sept. 16.

During the Sept. 16 gathering, two young women suffered stab wounds that were not life threatening. Investigators also found a man suffering from a head injury, but they said it wasn’t clear if he was assaulted or fell.

Police said people were hostile during their efforts to disperse the crowd.

On Sept. 30, police impounded four vehicles that were linked to the sideshows. Three more vehicles were impounded about a week ago, Mahurin said.

Each was to be held for 30 days with fees totaling more than $2,500.

Botts’ dots were installed at Sebastopol and West as a deterrent to sideshows and reckless driving. Police say the raised dots are arranged to prevent reckless driving like drifting and doughnuts but won’t affect anyone driving straight or making turns.

Mahurin said it’s still too early to gauge their effectiveness.

You can reach Staff Writer Colin Atagi at colin.atagi@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @colin_atagi.