Carson Sheriff’s Station: “It’s getting out of hand.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Station in Carson is warning residents to be cautious of illegal street racing in the city. Authorities say the activity has become increasingly common, putting the community at risk of severe injury and even death.
“It’s getting out of hand…people are dying and getting seriously injured,” said Sgt. Christopher, who supervises the Carson Station. “Last year, someone had gotten shot with an AR-15…during a street takeover.”
Baker told The Bulletin there have been several reports by residents about street racing activity. He added that the department tracks activity by monitoring social media and regularly patrolling areas, including Rancho Dominguez, Torrance, and Harbor City.
People from across the Southern California region come to the area to participate in street racing, he said.
“People from the areas like San Diego, Vickersville, San Bernardino come from all over to participate in these car shows,” Baker said. “It typically happens late at night, and sometimes it happens every day, at random frequency.”
Sisters and Carson residents Lia and Laila McNutt, both CSUDH students, said they often hear loud cars drifting late at night right outside their bedroom windows. They told The Bulletin that drifting frequently occurs in nearby neighborhoods.
“It doesn’t make them feel unsafe,” Lia said. “It’s just really annoying and dangerous.”
Lia said she saw property damage on one of the university’s brick walls caused by drifting and speeding. She added that the city feels more dangerous because of what she sees as a lack of attention from officials and police, not because of the drifting itself.
Laila said the emotional and social impact of knowing these drifting events are happening so close to homes, schools, and businesses is upsetting. She said she feels the city “only cares a little,” and the only evidence residents see of any response is when police post on Instagram after catching someone involved.
Laila pleaded with street racers to reconsider whether the thrill is worth the risk to themselves and others in the community.
“Please don’t waste your life doing something that can possibly end your life, you could do so much more,” she said. “There are literal race tracks you can go to if you want to drive like this, it is not worth getting severely hurt over.”
Baker confirmed there has been significant property damage linked to street racing activity, including broken street signs and damaged sidewalks and curbs. There have also been instances of cars losing control and crashing into nearby parked cars, he said.
Lia said she has given up reporting incidents to local authorities because she feels they do not take her calls seriously.
“I have reported other things to the sheriff, and the response is typically, ‘We’ll send someone out there,’ and either they’ll never show…or they’ll show 45 minutes to one hour later,” she explained.
Baker said the city of Carson is trying to take action to prevent these incidents, including installing speed bumps in certain areas to discourage drifting. He noted that cars hitting the speed bumps can damage drifters’ vehicles.
Lia said she wants to see more consistent communication and follow-through from city officials, especially as Carson prepares for upcoming development projects.
“All it seems like they care about right now is how we can make Carson look nice for the Olympics,” Lia lamented. “They can make Carson look nice on the outside, but if these problems don’t go away, Carson will just be another city that’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”