FAIRFAX, Va. — Amid a surge in dangerous street racing and takeovers, Fairfax County is urging Virginia lawmakers to enact stricter penalties.
Fairfax County Supervisor James Walkinshaw, who represents the Braddock District, and is also the chair of the board's legislative committee, told WUSA9 they're pushing for stronger laws to be passed in the upcoming Virginia General Assembly.
"We have some tools already in the code to charge drivers who are participating. We want to get stronger tools and expand some of the definitions so that some of the activities like burnouts, donuts or wheelies are specifically defined in the code of Virginia and stronger tools to charge organizers," said Walkinshaw.
This week, Fairfax County Police weighed in on the push by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
"We stand firmly with the board of Supervisors in Fairfax County. We believe this topic is going to resonate throughout the commonwealth of Virginia because, quite frankly, it's resonating throughout the country right now and we got to put an end to it," said Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis.
Chief Davis described these events as “reckless” and “increasingly dangerous,” often organized on social media and involving armed participants. He cited an incident in April where officers were surrounded by a large crowd.
"It's one of the biggest topics of conversation in law enforcement right now. Top 10, maybe even top five, is street takeovers," said Chief Davis.
The county's Board of Supervisors is pushing for legislation similar to a recent Maryland law that imposes mandatory court appearances, up to a year in prison, and doubled fines for street racing participants, including drivers, flagmen, and timekeepers.
“It's not just the drivers who are at risk. Spectators can easily get hurt or killed,” said Fairfax County Supervisor James Walkinshaw. “We're working to push for stronger laws in Virginia's General Assembly to give law enforcement more tools to crack down on these dangerous street takeovers.”
Last month, Fairfax County Police told WUSA9 they had charged 12 people in connection to street racing and street takeovers in the county just this year.
Chief Davis told WUSA9 that stricter penalties are the only solution.
“Unless we do something within the criminal justice system and legislatively to put more consequences and attach more consequences to people who enable those events that take place,” Davis said.
The county’s legislative committee is hoping Virginia lawmakers will introduce legislation in the upcoming General Assembly session. It begins on Jan. 8.