Derek Slap

SENATOR SLAP, STATE SENATE PASS BILL TO HELP COMBAT ILLEGAL ORGANIZED ‘STREET TAKEOVERS’

Today, State Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford) joined the State Senate in its approval of legislation creating a regional task force that will work to combat illegal “street takeovers,” where organized groups of drivers in a variety of vehicles fill streets in cities or towns, sometimes obstructing traffic and causing public disturbances.

Senate Bill 1036, “An Act Establishing A Greater Hartford Regional Law Enforcement Task Force To Combat Illegal Roadway Traffic Activity,” will require the Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection to establish a regional task force that will work to combat illegal traffic activities in the Greater Hartford area.

“The ‘takeovers’ can be scary and threaten public safety,” said Sen. Slap. “The creation of a task force will help prevent the takeovers from happening and support law enforcement’s efforts to keep our streets safe. I’m encouraged that we’re taking action today against this practice and hope this task force’s findings can help prevent future issues for motorists.”

In recent years, organized groups of individuals driving motor vehicles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and other vehicles have created organized “street takeovers,” where hundreds will descend onto an area. Several have involved public disturbances and obstructions of traffic. Various events have led to property damage and some have spurred violence.

Under the bill, the Task Force would comprise state and local law enforcement officers in the Greater Hartford area. The take force will be allowed to ask for and receive aid from any federal, state or local agency.

The bill passed the Public Safety and Security Committee by a 25-0 vote in March.