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Anti -Cruising Ordinance Informational Report November 15, 2022 Page 2 Staff has observed that cruising escalates on major holidays, such as Easter Sunday, Cinco de Mayo, and other special days, such as days following major sporting events. The intensity of cruising and accompanying activities during major holidays and other special days exacerbate the adverse effects that accompany cruising. In response, the Santa Ana Police Department has historically staffed additional uniformed personnel on weekends for decades to keep cruising and related issues under control. Although the City's anti -cruising ordinance has been in place since 1989, cruising is still prevalent. Cruising and street takeovers share many characteristics and similarities. For example, cruising and takeovers often begin with meet -ups, also referred to as "park and chills" ("P/Cs"), at predetermined locations where the organizers might believe they will be met with the least amount of police presence and enforcement. At these P/Cs, attendees and spectators may take over parking lots and may often deface the surface with "burnouts", costing business owners repair costs and lost profits. The Police Department continues to experience problems with lowrider clubs that occupy shopping centers and parking lots where participants do "burnouts." In addition, it is common for participants to consume alcohol, litter, and loudly rev their engines to show off their exhaust systems, creating various problems for the area residents. These new types of events are typically promoted by social media platforms and the entertainment industry. Oftentimes, these events draw car enthusiasts and organizers from out of town. These effects are evidenced by observations by the Police Department and informed by complaints received by the public. During Intersection/Street Takeovers ("ITOs"), Street Racing ("S/R"), and Park and Chills ("P/Cs"), it is not uncommon to have significant intersections blocked by two to three hundred spectators watching vehicles doing "donuts." The spectators, often with violent behavior, serve as "blockers" to protect the drivers from the police while doing "donuts". These events often can have up to 500 vehicles that take over shopping centers and business complexes, with little to no benefit to surrounding businesses. These events often result in defaced surfaces with tire marks, along with numerous noise complaints from those activities. To the community's detriment, the transformation from cruising to the latest trend has intensified the same problems that communities have been experiencing for decades. To illustrate the effects of crusing and related activities, below is a sample list of recent, significant incidents that have occurred in Southern California: 1. "Two people were shot dead and five others wounded by gunfire at Los Angeles park on Sunday after shooting broke out at an informal car show in the community of San Pedro...." — Reuters 2. "Orange County Register editor killed in Santa Ana crash — Eugene Harbrecht was making a turn in his truck when a racing car slammed into it...." — Orange County Register City Council 27 — 2 11/15/2022