What are the City of Gilroy and the police department doing to
catch and stop the import cars from racing through the streets of
Gilroy at all hours of the day and night?
“What are the City of Gilroy and the police department doing to catch and stop the import cars from racing through the streets of Gilroy at all hours of the day and night? Something needs to be done before innocent bystanders are hurt or killed. You can hear the cars from a mile away. I can’t see how it’s so hard to catch these speed racers.”
Red Phone: Dear Need For Slowness, Street racing is not unique to the area. It is something that police everywhere are working to curb.
“Street racing has become a problem throughout California over the years,” said Gilroy Police Sgt. Chad Gallacinao. “There are YouTube videos and movies that glorify the illegal competition of street racing. The Vehicle Code contains laws designed to increase the punishments for ‘speed contests’ and allow police to impound the involved vehicles.”
The penalties for speed racing are stiff. The person could be fined up to $1,000, face three months in jail and have his or her license revoked. Even participants who watch or help set up a speed race can be cited.
The DMV warns the activity is especially popular with teenagers who may think it is harmless and aren’t aware of the potential dangers.
“The act of street racing presents a significant safety threat to all of the involved – including the drivers, passengers, spectators and innocent community members,” Gallacinao said. “Often times, the involved vehicles are travelling at high speeds, in uncontrolled conditions, are driven by inexperienced drivers and by drivers who may be under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. These combinations will often times end with an unexpected collision – which will result with an injury or death.”
So please be considerate of others when you think about speeding through the area at high speeds.
Skid marks in intersection
“I noticed the eyesore from the tire skid marks at Rancho Hills and Mantelli drives. Can the city clean this up? Also, can the city do something for the safety of the pedestrians while walking – Mantelli is a racetrack.”
Red Phone: Dear Skidding Out Of Control, The battle to keep streets clean is an ongoing struggle for the city. New skid marks are constantly added and are time consuming and costly to remove, said Todd Barreras, the city’s street maintenance supervisor.
“There’s not a lot we can do,” he said.
One option the city has considered is using a slurry seal, which restores the original color and texture to the road. But this option is rarely used because of its expense, Barreras said.
As for racing on the road, police have received reports and issued citations for people speeding around Mantelli Drive and Wren Avenue, Gallacinao said.
“Officers who witness acts of illegal street racing will stop and arrest those involved,” he said. “People are encouraged to report street racing that occurs within our community. The department continues to conduct active checks of the area to prevent – and enforce laws relating to – speed contests”
To report an incident of speeding, call 846-0350 or go to to cityofgilroy.org/cityofgilroy/city_hall/police to file a report.
