Congressman Josh Harder (D-Tracy) is taking a firm stand against the increasingly dangerous phenomenon of sideshows in Stockton, as reported by Hannah Workman of The Stockton Record. Sideshows, informal gatherings where spectators watch drivers perform stunts like donuts and burnouts, have been linked to violent crimes, including fatal shootings.
This year, Stockton has witnessed at least three deaths related to sideshows. In April, 22-year-old Moses Richardson was shot dead during a sideshow near California and Oak streets. May and July saw similar tragedies, claiming the lives of two young men, aged 22 and 18, in separate sideshow incidents.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Congressman Harder remarked, “Sideshows have become hot spots for violent crime in Stockton. It’s really scary, especially for families with young kids.” This alarming trend has prompted him to back a new bipartisan bill titled "They're Fast, We're Furious Act of 2023," or House of Representatives Bill (H.R.) 6224.
Introduced on November 3, H.R. 6224 aims to establish an FBI-led task force to tackle the issues surrounding street racing and sideshows. The task force, which would include members from the Department of Justice's criminal division and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is tasked with studying the prevalence and impacts of street racing, developing best practices for local and state agencies, and coordinating the response of various law enforcement levels to street racing.
“People are coming from all over, performing dangerous stunts right outside of people’s homes, bringing gang activity, and trafficking illegal weapons into our community, and we have to put a stop to it," Harder emphasized.
The congressman acknowledged that local law enforcement agencies often lack the resources to effectively handle these situations. He hopes that the FBI’s involvement will provide the necessary support to keep communities safe.
In San Joaquin County, efforts to combat sideshows have been ongoing since 2017, with the formation of a multi-agency task force comprising the CHP, San Joaquin County sheriff's deputies, and police departments from Stockton, Tracy, and Manteca.
Congressman Harder's backing of H.R. 6224 represents a significant step in addressing the growing concern over sideshows and street racing in Stockton and across California, aiming to enhance public safety and reduce crime associated with these events.
This report is based on the coverage by Hannah Workman of The Stockton Record.
