City ordinance targets street racing spectators

Herald staff

EVERETT — Tonight, Everett City Council members get a first look at a proposed ordinance making it a misdemeanor to attend an illegal street car race.

The ordinance, if approved, changes the traffic code by making it a criminal offense to congregate in areas where people are either wanting to race or encouraging people to race. Currently, the police can charge the racing drivers but not nondrivers, city prosecutor Laura Van Slyck said.

"Up until this point, we were pretty limited, and now we can prove not only the driver but a presence in the area," Van Slyck said. "If there’s 50 people in the area and only two people are arrested, we’re not really resolving the entire problem, through no fault of the police."

Currently, a driver charged with illegall racing faces a gross misdemeanor. The maximum penalty is a year in jail and a $5,000 fine if convicted. A conviction also results in suspension of a driver’s license.

If the new ordinance is approved, onlookers face a charge of unlawful race attendance, a misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $1,000 and 90 days in jail.

The ordinance will be reviewed again by the council Jan. 23. If it is approved, it takes effect 15 days after the mayor signs it.

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