Street racing, sideshows continue to concern Kansas City residents

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — This weekend, Kanas City police’s summertime “Entertainment District Plan” took effect.

According to KCPD, upwards of a dozen officers from around the city and specialized units will be in busy entertainment districts on Friday and Saturday nights to ensure safety and monitor a number of issues, including dangerous traffic issues like street racing, sideshows , and people driving off-road vehicles and ATVs on city streets.

KCPD reminds people that racing, burnouts, and operating off-road vehicles and ATVs on city streets is prohibited and that officers will enforce those laws.

“Safety matters the most. I think the most important thing is just making sure that the civilians are safe here,” said Israel Hanke, who lives in Kansas City.

“But if people want to use street racing and jeopardize human lives, then I think that is not necessarily best for society.”

Over the weekend, KCPD officers observed a couple of cars driving dangerously in the Westport area. Officers attempted to stop them, but the drivers eluded them and refused to stop.

There was also one instance of ATVs and off-road vehicles being driven around Westport.

Officers attempted to stop them, but they also eluded and refused to stop for officers.

The commander in charge of KCPD’s entertainment district coordination reported no major issues this weekend and said crowds were smaller than average compared to standard summer weekends.

Street racing and illegal sideshows have been a concern in the Kansas City metro for several years.

“I feel like it’s pretty unsafe. There are families and kids, and you don’t want anyone to get hurt,” said Bella Dezeeuw, who lives in Kansas City.

Last month, KCPD reported breaking up dangerous sideshows across the city, which resulted in 27 traffic citations in one weekend.

City leaders encourage anyone who sees illegal street racing, motorcycle stunts, or other dangerous traffic issue to report the incident to police.

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