Tucson Police, code lights

Efforts to stop street takeovers and target aggressive driving continues to be a priority for local law enforcement, the Pima County Sheriffโ€™s Department says.

Due to the numerous complaints of street and intersection takeovers the department receives, deputies continue to conduct enforcement efforts. Deputies and detectives have arrested 38 drivers for reckless driving and 19 for racing during deployments and other enforcement efforts so far this year, a news release Friday said.

Most recently, detectives searched a house in the 3200 block of East Kleindale Road, near North Country Club Road. A person deputies say was promoting street racing was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor disorderly conduct, obstructing a highway or other thoroughfare, public nuisance and racing on a highway, the news release said.

Deputies seized items that were related to the promotion of street takeovers. The sheriffโ€™s department did not release the identity of the person arrested.

In addition to the arrests, multiple vehicles have been taken off the street, at least temporarily, during the deployments.

โ€œThe types of illegal behaviors demonstrated by groups shutting down roadways and racing is a nuisance, which often last into the early morning hours and disrupt traffic flow,โ€ the news release said. โ€œIt is a dangerous situation for both those engaged in the behavior and the community it affects.โ€

The Pima County Sheriff's Department obtained video of street racers and "drifters" in the intersection of Raytheon Parkway and Aerospace Parkway last weekend. Law enforcement will be reviewing evidence related to street racing, arresting violators and seizing vehicles used in these types of incidents, the sheriff's department said.


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Jamie Donnelly covers courts for the Arizona Daily Star. Contact her via e-mail at jdonnelly@tucson.com