San Francisco is poised to implement stricter penalties for participants in illegal sideshows, following a recent approval by the Board of Supervisors. Announced by Mayor London Breed and Supervisor Matt Dorsey in August, the legislation is set to undergo a final vote on October 1. The new regulations aim to tackle the escalating problem of sideshows and dangerous dirt bike gatherings across the city.
Under the proposed legislation, it will become illegal to engage in or promote sideshow activities, obstruct streets for such events, and hinder police efforts to prevent them. One of the most significant aspects of the new law is the potential for permanently seizing vehicles involved in sideshows. Vehicles impounded during a sideshow could face a minimum 30-day hold if charges are filed by the district attorney, with the possibility of permanent forfeiture upon conviction.
The legislation comes in response to growing concerns over the safety and disruption caused by sideshows and illegal dirt bike gatherings. Residents like Molly Tello have voiced frustration over the frequency of large dirt bike groups taking over city streets, performing dangerous stunts, and disregarding traffic laws. Tello noted, “Almost every weekend, groups of over 100 dirt bikers speed through our neighborhood, creating chaos and risking lives.”
The new law aims to address these issues by imposing stricter penalties and enhancing law enforcement’s ability to deter and dismantle sideshows before they escalate.
The bill was spearheaded by Mayor London Breed and Supervisor Matt Dorsey, reflecting their commitment to enhancing public safety and reducing urban disruptions. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors recently approved the legislation, pending a final vote on October 1. The new regulations also align with recent state-level efforts to combat sideshows, following Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing of four related laws.
If enacted, the law will grant authorities the power to impound vehicles involved in sideshows for extended periods, with the possibility of permanent seizure for repeat offenders. Police are also leveraging advanced technologies, including drones and license plate readers, to monitor and disrupt sideshow activities more effectively. This technological approach is expected to complement the legislative measures by providing real-time data and surveillance capabilities.
Local residents have expressed varying opinions on the potential impact of the new law. While some, like Tello, are hopeful that it will help curb sideshows before they start, others, like Juliet Mariniello, remain skeptical. Mariniello observed that previous attempts to regulate such activities often lead to relocation rather than elimination of the problem, saying, “I’ve seen in Oakland where they just move to another corner. I hope it works, but I’m not sure it will solve the issue completely.”
The San Francisco legislation follows Governor Newsom’s recent signing of four new state laws aimed at addressing the sideshow problem more comprehensively. These efforts highlight a broader commitment to tackling unsafe and disruptive behaviors that impact communities throughout California.