LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Police Department has responded to more than 90 street takeovers so far in 2026, making at least 79 arrests and impounding 114 race cars. Officers also seized four firearms and recovered four stolen vehicles during the operations.

Sgt. Jesse Garcia, leader of the LAPD's Street Racing Task Force, said in a television interview: "It's only increased and gotten more violent, more boisterous and just more brazen. There's robberies, rapes, shootings, murders, stabbings."

At least five people were shot at Los Angeles County street takeovers during one weekend in 2026. Four of them were shot early Sunday morning at a takeover at the intersection of Del Mar and Garvey avenues in Rosemead, and two of the four were teenagers. Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies responded to the reported takeover but did not arrive in time to prevent the shooting.

Twenty-four hours later, deputies responded to a street takeover at Compton and Gage avenues in the Florence-Firestone area of Los Angeles. A participant was shot during that takeover and taken to a hospital in unknown condition.

The number of street takeovers has increased across Los Angeles, including in the downtown area. Mayor Karen Bass ordered increased downtown patrols last month after a group entered the Circa LA Apartments across from the Los Angeles Convention Center following a street takeover. Many participants travel to Los Angeles from across California and beyond each weekend to take part in the events, and many of the clubs involved are based along the Interstate 10 corridor from Los Angeles to New Orleans.

Garcia also said: "It's heating up now." He said the task force has observed broader criminal activity tied to the gatherings, including car theft rings, narcotics, human trafficking and gun running, and that some clubs have a hierarchy with dues-paying members and chapters in different states.

Police use unmarked squad cars with interior-mounted lights to maintain an element of surprise when responding to takeovers. LAPD helicopters are also deployed to identify suspects and follow those who flee.

In 2025, the Street Racing Task Force addressed 678 street takeovers and made 292 related arrests, including 24 felony arrests. The task force impounded 483 race cars, recovered 103 stolen vehicles, and seized 18 firearms that year.

Separately, Erick Romero Quintana, 22, began his trial in Los Angeles Superior Court this month on 16 counts of conspiracy to commit reckless driving for allegedly organizing street takeovers. Prosecutors say Quintana organized the events using an Instagram account with more than 60,000 followers. A 24-year-old woman was struck by a car and killed at one of the takeovers he allegedly organized. If convicted, he faces up to 13 years in prison.