Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies are investigating reports from residents of street racing in the Sand Canyon area, officials said Thursday.
Deputies didn’t confirm any illegally organized street races or activity, but patrol cars are in the area “in the evening and early morning,” said Sgt. Richard Cohen, who leads the Sheriff’s Station’s Traffic Unit. “We verify (the reports) by having deputies go there. We’ve been getting mixed information.”
A resident witnessed street racing taking place during the hours of 11 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., according to an email sent out by the Sand Canyon Homeowners Association.
“I would like to warn the community of this serious issue and also bring awareness to what is going on,” said Karin Tucker. “We have seen the cars and it is horrific how fast they are going, it really is an accident waiting to happen. The potential for a major accident is huge and any one of us or our teenage children could be (affected) when driving late at night on Sand Canyon Road.”
Tucker reported that the races begin near Lost Canyon Road and run south toward Placerita Canyon Road, often taking up both of the lanes on the two-lane road.
Sand Canyon Road has had a history of traffic collisions caused by a high rate of speed with the most recent being the death of Dakota Demott in 2012 after he was ejected from a friend’s Ford Mustang when it hit a tree.
“In the past 10 years, from 2003 to 2013, 271 traffic accidents and seven deaths have occurred on Sand Canyon Road, “ said Deputy Josh Dubin of the SCV Sheriff’s Station in a 2014 interview. “The most common cause of accidents is failure to yield and the most common age range of people involved in accidents on Sand Canyon Road is 16-25 years old.”
But city of Santa Clarita officials have been working to implement Speed Feedback Signs, re-striping of the road and the addition of guardrails.
“The city is trying to make Sand Canyon Road safer,” said Evan Thomason, communications representative for the city of Santa Clarita, in a previous interview. “We have been working with sheriffs department for more enforcements.”
Sheriff’s Station deputies continue to work to send messages about driving at a high rate of speed and driving distracted.
SCV Sheriff Press Release:
Sheriff’s Station deputies are raising awareness of the perils of street racing and encouraging residents of the Santa Clarita Valley to report such activity by calling 911 before a tragedy occurs, officials said Wednesday.
Each year as spring and summer time approaches, deputies assigned to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station see an increase of sideshow or street racing activities, according to a news release. In fact, these type of activities can be found in communities across Southern California.
Street racing events continually draw in participants who create a public safety hazard through their unsafe driving and obstruction of public roadways, according to a news release. As a result of their aggressive behavior, other crimes such as assault with a deadly weapon, DUI, and general disturbances of peace frequently occur.
Illegal sideshows and street racing events are reckless, unsafe and unlawful, according to a news release. They pose an extreme danger to those participating in the activity, other motorists and bystanders.
People involved in these activities within the Santa Clarita Valley should expect deputies to take decisive action against them, including citations with enhanced fines, vehicle impounds and jail time for felony and misdemeanor charges, according to a news release.
Not only is street racing illegal to participate in, but spectating is also illegal, according to a news release. Spectators can receive a citation for watching the street race.
Deputies assigned to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station will continue to monitor illegal street racing and take appropriate action when they come into our patrol area, according to a news release. Street racing cannot be tolerated in any form.
Street racing is a misdemeanor crime under Section 23109 (a) of the California Vehicle Code, according to a news release. Persons caught participating in a speed contest can have their vehicles impounded for 30 days at their own expense per Section 23109.2 (a)(1) of the California Vehicle Code.
A driver arrested for street racing can expect to pay some very heavy fines, as well as having their driver’s license suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles, resulting in higher insurance premiums, according to a news release. The financial cost is insignificant when someone greatly injures themselves or claims the life of an innocent bystander.
If any member of the public is aware of street racing activity in progress or about to occur, call 911 and provide license plate numbers, descriptions of vehicles and subjects involved, according to a news release. If you witness any incidents relating to street racing, or if you have any further information or concerns, please contact the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station at 661-255-1121.
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20 Comments
Vanessa
Vanessa
Every nite… cars and motorcycles between midnite 4am west side from soledad cyn
Every nite… cars and motorcycles between midnite 4am west side from soledad cyn
Not very smart. They must have a death wish
Not very smart. They must have a death wish
You can hear people racing early morning at around 530am and we’re off shadow pines
Its sand canyon where the wealthy live. No matter how many times i call about my street we get zero service by sheriff’s. Remember though lasd…this valley started in newhall. We aren’t the trash we are treated like.
Its sand canyon where the wealthy live. No matter how many times i call about my street we get zero service by sheriff’s. Remember though lasd…this valley started in newhall. We aren’t the trash we are treated like.
Dumb kids!
People need to mind their own damn business
This is an organized club involved in racing as well as auto theft. They are the same group that had two leaders arrested after a fatal collision in Northridge last month. Because of pressure from LAPD the groups have moved to SCV. The sheriff’s have this info but don’t seem to care.
Justin Garlow
See take Saugus Speedway we are left with no other choice what to bring it to your local community
I don’t know where there’d be enough land along with an environment where the noise wouldn’t be a factor to residents, but SFV and SCV really need a drag strip. As long as people have cars, there’s going to be racing.
I guess they all just watched the Fast and the Furious 7?
@Taylor Bell: I beg to differ. There is no such thing as a time when the streets are clear in this valley. There is a difference between LESS traffic and NO traffic.
Also, perhaps you are not aware that there is a fire station on Sand Canyon just north of Placerita and that emergency services can be needed at any time of the day or night? Fortunate are you if you have never awakened to find that a family member needs emergency medical services. Fire engines and ambulances use Sand Canyon Road frequently and must not be impeded by street racing.
I can clearly see by some of the comments that the individuals who support this behavior don’t give a damn about others and only care about their own agenda. You have no clue as to who is on the road at what time. There are some people that work late shifts and come home during those hours, contractors doing late work because day time work is not permitted. These people have families to go home to…they are at risk because of the stupid choices being made. Saugus Speedway is missed by many including myself, but most of the “kids” that race through this area were not even born when the track was closed down…and if you were you were probably driving your “Little Tyke” car at the time. There are tracks that allow you to drift and race. Irwindale Speedway and Willow Springs have programs you can sign up for such as ego night etc… These kids need to take their ride and head on out there…at least the only lives they’d be risking is their own. Public streets are not designed for your senseless behavior. Kids get killed and then lawsuits happen and innocent parties get named in law suits and everybody loses.
Let’s race all day they can’t catch this is our canyon good luck Piggie’s. Catch me if you can.
Hello Wade, I invite you to a life changing event….youth grove at central park usually in september ..if you don’t see things differently after that I will be glad to help you find the compassion for the risk involved of city street racing and the feeling of loss of loved ones due to no reason at all. You seem like a very confident man and probably like to hear all sides of the stories that are on the news before making abrupt statements so that is why I invite you to join me, I strongly feel we can make great progress. I am the father of Dakota so I do have some experience, let alone I was a teenager with wild instincts, and do understand how you feel…police on your canyon, why should they pester you? The reason I think is to avoid having YOUR family go through what ours has, I wouldn’t have listened to me “or someone like me” at your age…..but if you are as smart as it appears you might….at least think about it. My invitation is open to you. Mark