Illegal street takeovers prompt Suffolk County crackdown; community meeting highlights safety concerns
The Suffolk County Police Department, Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office addressed the issue Tuesday during a Law Enforcement Community Advisory Board meeting.
More Stories
Illegal street takeovers across Suffolk County are raising new safety concerns, prompting a community conversation between residents and law enforcement about enforcement efforts and the dangers tied to the events.
Video from a Shirley parking lot late last year shows cars spinning donuts as smoke fills the air, one of several illegal street takeovers that have drawn heightened attention from police and local leaders. Similar incidents unfolded months earlier in Port Jefferson, where residents say loud engines, as well as speeding and reckless driving, left them feeling unsafe in their own neighborhoods.
“It’s terrifying for us,” said Dana Richter, of Huntington. “It’s nonstop with the people that envision themselves as these racecar drivers.”
The Suffolk County Police Department, Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office addressed the issue Tuesday during a Law Enforcement Community Advisory Board meeting. Officials detailed the risks associated with street takeovers, noting that in recent years at least two police officers and one bystander have been injured during these events.
Suffolk County Police Department Chief of Department William Doherty said a street takeover task force launched in November 2024 has now been made permanent.
“So, we started a street takeover task force that we made permanent,” Doherty said.
Since its launch, police say the task force has broken up 93 street takeovers, issued more than 9,300 summonses, made 70 arrests and impounded 113 vehicles. Doherty added that the task force works closely with criminal intelligence units to monitor how takeovers are organized.
“A lot of times people use private chat apps like WhatsApp or other things, but other people like it out on social media, so we’ve had pretty good success,” he said.
Police are also encouraging the public to report planned takeovers, offering a $500 Crime Stoppers reward if a tip leads to a disruption or arrest.
