New city legislation takes aim at street racing

In a move aimed at curbing street racing, the Seattle City Council recently approved stricter penalties for people who participate in, or are spectators of, the activity. 

A blog post by the city specifically noted a street racing event from July of last year as an influence on the legislation.

Three people were wounded and one was killed during the race in Capitol Hill, after someone opened fire on a crowd of spectators.

City Attorney Ann Davison, who worked in partnership on the bill, called street racing a growing problem in the area. 

But some have argued that the legislation is overkill, when the state already instituted new laws around street racing earlier this year.

Guest:

• Seattle City Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7)

Relevant links:

• Seattle City Council Blog: Seattle City Council adopts new tools to fight illegal street racing
• Statement from Councilmember Kettle: While Seattle Police don’t have specific on data on street racing, my constituents have increasingly raised concerns about these incidents. The feedback has been amplified by the media coverage of the late night disruption to neighborhoods, shootings and injuries during these dangerous gatherings.  On July 23, 2023, three people were wounded by gunfire and one person was fatally shot during an unlawful racing event in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. And during a weekend in June, a pair of illegal racing events resulted in the tragic shooting death of 22-year-old man, multiple shooting injuries, and a car striking a pedestrian.