SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Police Department has released footage showing the destruction of two impounded vehicles whose drivers were accused of reckless driving, part of a renewed strategy to deter illegal street activity, NBC San Diego reported.
The vehicles, a Toyota Chaser and a Yamaha R1, were destroyed following court-approved forfeiture orders, marking the first time in nearly 20 years that SDPD has pursued this enforcement tool. The action follows collaborative efforts by SDPD’s Traffic Special Investigations Unit, the California Highway Patrol’s Border Division Street Racing Enforcement Unit, and the San Diego City and County District Attorney’s Offices.
Their joint operations target felony evasion of peace officers, street racing, sideshows and “stunting.” In addition to fines and possible jail time, repeat offenders may now face the loss and destruction of their vehicles.
“It’s very impactful,” said SDPD Lt. Travis Easter. “What you’re seeing is those vehicles being crushed. The motorcycle and that car are not going to be back on the street to be used again to commit these crimes.”
CHP Capt. Mike Vargas echoed that message, noting the visual nature of the destruction drives home the seriousness of the consequences.
Law enforcement officials said vehicle destruction is being revived as a tool to deter behavior often dismissed as temporary.
“The mentality is: ‘I’m going to get my vehicle back. I’ll get towed, I’ll get my vehicle back, my buddy will pick it up,’ and that is not the case,” Easter said, “and that is what the vehicle crushing is — nobody is going to get that vehicle back, that vehicle that has been a danger to the street and is not going back out there.”
Deputy District Attorney Joshua Kay, who leads the region’s street-racing task force, said each case will be reviewed individually and vehicle destruction will only occur with a court order. The task force prioritizes repeat offenders and uses probation terms to reduce recidivism and lay the foundation for felony charges when appropriate.
Will the decision to destroy some impounded vehicles have a practical impact on street crime? What other tactics could work?
Police1 readers respond
- Yes, absolutely! It is the enforcement of our laws and when criminals see this, it will in many cases deter them. We need more enforcement! What good is a law on the books if there’s no enforcement?
- I first want to say I have no issues with enjoying cars and all the things that can be done with them. I have a problem when somebody places others’ lives in danger only for rush and maybe some money and street credit. If you participate in illegal street racing, you should understand you can lose your vehicle. There has to be repercussions for one action. I think all law enforcement should seize vehicles and either scrap them or sell them for parts, and put the money back into law enforcement’s budgets. A race car should not be more important than the family of four coming home from the movies.
- Yes. Maybe not for first timers, but depending on the violation. People killed, injured, property destroyed, or even complete disregard for the crime need tougher consequences.
- It’ll help if it’s done often enough, however the unintended consequence is that it’s also an incentive for the reckless drivers to attempt to flee & evade.
- Cop for 38 years, what you are doing is illegal and a useless deterrent. Does nothing to stop getting another car. Same as guns and drugs. Endless supply. Ask the cop on the street if you want answers. Whoever came up with this idea is worse than the criminals on the street. To destroy the cars, it must be solely owned by the driver of the car at the time. There are many simpler and effective means to stop the problem. I have done it many times!
