The Portland City Council Examines a Plan to Curb Street “Sliding”

A draft ordinance proposes that City Council approve two different misdemeanor offenses for participating in such events.

By Sophie Peel | Published August 4 at 5:30 AM Updated August 4 at 7:32 AM

Portland city officials have drafted an ordinance that would increase the criminal penalties for street “sliding,” as weekly contests of souped-up cars burning rubber in circles draw crowds of hundreds, block city intersections, and alarm business owners in industrial neighborhoods.

THE ORDINANCE

Sam Adams, director of strategic innovations for Mayor Ted Wheeler, tells WW the draft ordinance would “increase the sanctions for this kind of dangerous driving on public streets.”

“Large unpermitted street racing events involving high speed and at times pedestrian onlookers have grown in number and size across the city,” Adams says. “We have a draft of an ordinance in front of the City Council for them to comment on. We want to have it at the City Council when folks come back from their time off.”

The draft of the ordinance and code provision, obtained by WW, proposes that City Council approve two different misdemeanor offenses for participating in such events: unlawful street takeover and unlawful staging of a street takeover event.

It reads: “A person commits the offense of an Unlawful Street Takeover if, in a public place or upon a highway, the person knowingly operates a motor vehicle while engaged in an unlawful street takeover event.”

The draft proposes that the penalty be up to six months in prison and a fine up to $500—but gives first-time offenders the choice to go through a diversion program instead, if approved by the Multnomah County district attorney.

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