44 arrested, hundreds cited in illegal street racing crackdown

LOS ANGELES -- A major crackdown on street racing in South Los Angeles resulted in 44 arrests, more than 200 citations and dozens of cars being impounded, KTLA reports.

The operation, which had been planned for more than a week, began late Sunday night and lasted into the early morning hours Monday.

“We have problems with these racers coming out,” Lt. Jodi Hutak of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department told KTLA. “They have high-end cars with modifications, they drive fast, often they’re under the influence of alcohol, and the increase in fatalities and traffic collisions is on the increase.”

The latest figures released by the sheriff’s department showed 44 people were arrested, 209 were cited and 54 vehicles were towed.

The arrests ranged from drug-related offenses to those wanted on arrest warrants, a sheriff’s department’s news release stated. The citations included unlicensed drivers and those driving on a suspended license.

Hutak noted that pedestrians were cited because there are laws against spectating during street racing.

“The pedestrians that are on the sidewalks are just as much in danger as those driving and the passengers inside the cars,” Hutak said.