By Kathy Kennedy
State Rep., R-119
Kathy Kennedy
The Post Road in Milford and Orange was transformed into a makeshift racetrack in July when over 300 offroad vehicles sped through traffic, endangering drivers, pedestrians and our community. “Street takeovers,” these recently common episodes of illegal street activity, have surfaced throughout Connecticut.
What is a street takeover and what can we do about them? As the ranking member of the Transportation Committee, I have a firsthand perspective on how this illegal roadway activity has negatively impacted the safety of our communities and has created additional stress for our local law enforcement.
According to state police, street takeovers consist of illegally driven ATVs, cars and bikes, sometimes in groups of 100 or more drivers partaking in stunts, races and erratic driving. Typically, these events halt normal traffic as the drivers cross street medians, disobey traffic signals and even damage property. They “take over” street traffic.
Both the state and local police recommend drivers and pedestrians should avoid interacting with this illegal roadway activity at all costs. Finding alternate routes is the best method to staying safe during these events. If residents are forced to sit in traffic, surrounded by illegally driven vehicles, police also recommend immediately reporting the activity to local police and staying in your vehicle until all vehicles have passed.
As our law enforcement works diligently to stop future street takeovers, there is no simple answer for why these events take place or why they happen in our backyards. Police investigations have sourced organized street takeovers to social media groups. However, it is important to note that these groups involve people of all ages, many of whom live outside of Connecticut.
During the 2023 legislative session, the House and Senate unanimously passed S.B. 1032: An Act Establishing a Greater Hartford Regional Law Enforcement Task Force to Combat Illegal Roadway Traffic Activity. Signed by Gov. Ned Lamont this summer, this law launches a formal investigation into the rise of street takeovers and other illegal roadway activity to prevent future cases and targeting sources for these events.
Although this task force is the first step in the right direction, there is still more work to be done. As a mother and a state representative, I have witnessed the negative impact these events have had on our local youth and families, as many of these takeovers consist of adolescent and underage drivers.
We can take two additional steps. First, repeal elements of the police accountability bill to allow our law enforcement to protect us once again without the constant threat of being sued. Second, revisit current juvenile justice policies that only serve to return juvenile offenders to the streets without necessary penalties, increasing their chances of becoming repeat offenders.
As parents and community members, we need to lead by example to offer better alternatives and resources for youth who may be easily attracted to this illegal lifestyle. Whether it is in our schools or each day at home, it is our responsibility to protect our children from increasingly popular threats, like street takeover groups. Contact your local police on tips for social media use that can keep your kids safe.
For those who are in need of support about this or any state issue, please never hesitate to contact me with your questions, ideas and concerns at Kathy.Kennedy@housegop.ct.gov or at 860-240-8700. For anyone who witnesses any illegal roadway activity, please submit all tips to fbi.gov/cttakeovertips to report information to assist this task force.