Another city joins KC in effort to curb illegal street racing, increasing fines

A city north of the Missouri River is following Kansas City’s lead in further cracking down on street racing.

The city of Riverside recently passed a new ordinance that is nearly identical to the one in Kansas City for people who participate in and attend illegal sideshows.

The measure makes it illegal for anyone in Riverside to drive a vehicle or ride a motorcycle that does not have all wheels on the ground. This includes any road, parking lot, highway or other public property.

The new legislation reflects a trend across the metro of cities offering harsher punishments for those participating in speeding competitions.

“In the last three, four weeks, the sheriff’s department and the (Riverside) Police Department heard some chatter on social media about (street racers) maybe meeting in Riverside,” said Kathy Rose, the mayor of Riverside.

Deterring sideshows

Authorities responded quickly by patrolling the area and parking in spots that the drivers might be attracted to.

“Nothing ended up happening because apparently there were some scouts, so people that were checking the area out saw (the police) presence and then decided not to go there,” said Rose.

Chris Skinrood, the chief of police for Riverside, said other than the incident a few weeks ago, the city hasn’t had any issues with street racing in the past several months.

Street racing and sideshows had in the past been more popular in an industrial area of Riverside off of Interstate 635, called Horizons, said Skinrood. That area now has several construction projects going on, with several people moving in and out, making it harder to race.

Skinrood thinks this could possibly be why the city hasn’t seen races in recent months.

“We have started our higher patrols down in that area, we’ve also received information from time to time from other agencies that they’ve heard that there are scouts coming to Riverside,” said Chief Skinrood. “Lots of times when we know about that, we have a car down there, and that keeps them at bay.”

Street racing across KC

Last year, the Kansas City council members pushed for harsher measures for those driving vehicles at sideshows. Spectators within 200 feet of unlawful drag races and speed competitions can be fined up to $100. This applies if there are two or more people present at the event.

Those participating in races can receive up to a $250 fine and/or up to 30 days in jail on the first violation, up to a $500 fine and/or up to 60 days in jail for the second violation, and up to a $1,000 fine and/or and up to six months in jail for a third.

Vehicles participating in unlawful events can be towed, but the police cannot seize the vehicles. KCPD has been pushing for a state law that allows authorities to seize participating vehicles.

Kendrick Calfee contributed to this story.