PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland police arrested more than a dozen people on New Year's Eve weekend, as street racers took over intersections across all corners of Portland and residents hid in their basements to escape the noise.
Tensions ran high at Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard and 20th Avenue when a gun was fired. Video showed crowds of people running in the opposite direction; shortly after, police showed up and were seen handcuffing someone on the ground.
Around midnight, more video showed smoke filling the air from another takeover at North Marine Drive near the Expo Center. About an hour later, street racers showed up at the intersection of Northeast Cully Boulevard and Prescott Street.
“It was pretty horrifying; the dog actually ended up crying all night. I had to take him down to the basement and play music for him to calm him down,” said Ben Ford, who lives two streets away.
He said he watched trailers carrying the racecars past his home.
“They unload, and they're here for two-and-a-half-hours… very, very big engines where you can feel it in your chest,” Ford said.
Just about a mile down the road on Sunday was another street takeover on Northeast 57th Street and Sandy Boulevard, making it the fourth in two days.
“I've been cleaning up the debris. They leave lot of beer cans, firework remnants,” said Eric, who works on that corner. “In the past, people hit this pole; we've been worried about this intersection cars coming through our windows, possibly.”
Portland police officers spent 10 hours each night disrupting these events as part of a street takeover mission this weekend, which led to 19 arrests and 13 citations. Police recovered seven firearms, and 21 vehicles were towed.
“I am beyond impressed by the work of our officers during this important mission,” Portland Police Chief Bob Day said. “Street racing and street takeover events are extremely dangerous and negatively impact our neighborhoods. I remain committed to conducting additional missions that will improve safety and livability in our community.”
But neighbors said they still wish there was a stronger police presence.
“What's the point of having police if they can't protect us from that kind of thing?” said Ford.
“There is no police response to anything,” added Eric.
The Portland Pulice Bureau (PBB) said they "understand the community's frustration."
“We share in that frustration, namely because we know that these street takeover events and street-racing events can be dangerous, and they can be disruptive to a neighborhood. We remain committed to conducting these missions as often as possible,” said Mike Benner, PPB's public information manager.
Portland police are planning more of these target missions. They said they want to remind those who take part in street takeovers can face criminal charges.
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt, who joined PBB's mission on New Year's Eve, said he "saw firsthand just how dangerous and disruptive street racing and street takeover events are to businesses, pedestrians, and other traffic.”
He added that with the passage of SB 615 and updated police policies, those who participate in street takeovers could lose their vehicle.
"We will now be able to use criminal forfeiture of these vehicles as part of the prosecution process. The message is clear: If you engage in illegal street racing and street takeovers, you will face criminal penalties, including the permanent loss of your car," Schmidt said.