NEW ORLEANS — People engaging in reckless 'pop up' stunt driving shows that block off traffic and endanger the public will face harsher penalties, NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said Monday.
The announcement came after several new videos showing some dangerous car stunts on New Orleans streets with frustrated drivers being blocked from driving through made their way around the internet this weekend.
In particular, several videos showed four different locations where cars were doing donuts in close proximity to a large and excited crowds.
One video showed a couple of people jumping up and down on a police cruiser that had its lights on. The people in and around the car seem to be mocking the officer with some spectators slapping and kicking the cruiser as it left the scene.
Ferguson said the officer in the cruiser was trying to use his siren and lights to disperse the crowd, but said the officer was "under attack."
Ferguson also said he believes that several of the "organizers" of the events are from out of town.
"There's no way in hell we should be allowing anyone to come into our city and rule our city," he said.
Ferguson said the charges that drivers will face will be upped from reckless driving to aggravated obstruction of highway or commerce, which he said comes with a sentence of up to 15 years in jail.
"You're not only jeopardizing the citizens, you're disrespecting our officers' lives."
Ferguson said he was especially upset with one scene where a police cruiser was surrounded and people jumped on it and slapped and kicked it before it drove away.
Ferguson also said he would like new laws passed that will allow them to seize the vehicles used in the "shows" and that will allow for penalties against spectators as well.
"Everyone, when identified, will be held accountable," said Ferguson.
The chief also said that blocked off traffic could result in major problems for people seeking emergency care, like pregnant women.
Councilman Oliver Thomas echoed Ferguson's feelings and likened the behavior to a mythical setting. "This is not Gotham City," he said. "The Joker and Penguin don't run this city."
Mayor LaToya Cantrell was out of town, but issued a statement: "The reckless criminal behavior that continues to occur on our streets poses a threat to public safety and is completely unacceptable," said Mayor Cantrell. "These brazen actions have accelerated to a complete disregard and blatant disrespect for law enforcement. This ends now!"
The response from social media has been an overwhelming condemnation of the events and general frustration over the perceived lack of a response by the city or police.
The ‘pop up’ show is the latest in a series of loosely-organized ‘events’ where a crowd blocks traffic as several cars race around in circles, burning rubber in front of cheering onlookers.
City Councilman Eugene Green previously said that reeling in illegal stunt shows is a challenge for police.
“If the police flinched and ran after two or three motorcyclists and an accident happened what would be our response as a public and as the media,” Green asked. “Why would they run after them for a non-violent offense like that?”
Green is proposing a new city ordinance to define pop-up stunt car shows where drivers are doing donuts, burning rubber, and riding recklessly as a separate crime.
“It’s going to define stunt acting and it’s also going to hold spectators accountable because these guys are doing it because of the spectators,” Green said.
The council is now set to take up the ordinance on Thursday.
New Orleans Police released a statement about a previous ‘stunt show’ in Mid-May.
The NOPD takes reckless vehicle operation and stunts of this nature very seriously. Such actions can put the public at great risk, from the operators to these vehicles – which are often times not street legal, as in this case involving quad ATVs – to other drivers, pedestrians and onlookers.
When considering the options officers have in the field and taking into account the department's pursuit policy, officers weigh each of those options in determining to pursue versus not pursing. Often times, as in this instance, this decision may need to be made in a matter of seconds. It is also sometimes practical to develop a strategic plan to identify the operators of these vehicles and make arrests in the safest possible manner. This can include relaying information to ranking officers and delaying apprehension until it can be made in the safety way possible.