County officials presented a quarterly update Sept. 9 on a multiagency strategy to curtail illegal street racing and "takeover" events, reporting targeted enforcement, community education and infrastructure pilots that county staff say have reduced events in specific locations.

Why it matters: Illegal street takeovers endanger bystanders, disrupt transit and damage roads and public property. The board received data showing some localized reductions after the county installed centerline and intersection deterrents, deployed targeted enforcement and expanded youth education.

Supervisor Holly Mitchell, who held the item for the board, said the effort combines enforcement, safe alternatives, education and communications and that the county must focus resources where takeovers are concentrated. "If we can find solutions that work here, then all boats will rise," she told the board, pointing to hotspots in unincorporated areas served by the Compton station.

County staff said education and outreach have reached nearly 2,000 students and community members through school and community workshops. Of 452 participants who completed follow-up surveys, 67% said they were less likely to participate in a takeover after the sessions.

Public Works reported results from pilots at several high-impact intersections. Steve Burger of Public Works said pilot centerline deterrents appear to have reduced takeovers at installed sites and that six additional intersection installations are scheduled. "With the current resources and staffing we have, we can hit a cadence of about one installation per month," Burger said. Public Works provided a partial tally of about $295,000 in 2025 repair costs tied to takeover damage, which the department said excludes labor and broader transportation impacts.

Law enforcement described coordinated operations. Commander Terrence Bell of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said a recent multiagency intervention in Carson led to 68 arrests and 25 vehicles towed. Captain Joe Diaz of the California Highway Patrol said enforcement activity in a Compton corridor coupled with no-parking signage had an immediate deterrent effect: "In the last two weeks alone, in combination with the sheriff's department, CHP has had direct focused enforcement in that area and it's been very fruitful...last week, it was almost dead."

The district attorney's office reported that it diverted 37 people through a pre-filing diversion program and has pledged prosecutorial support for enforcement of takeover-related offenses. The county has drafted proposed changes to county code to add diversion options and stiffer penalties; staff said that ordinance language will return to the board this fall.

Officials also described prevention and alternatives. The Department of Youth Development reported a rise in school-based and community workshops'more than 50 school workshops and 13 community events to date'including events in Century/Compton and other high-impact neighborhoods. Community groups and private partners are exploring legal alternatives: Pomona Fairplex expressed interest in hosting sanctioned, safe events; the Slide District Racing League said it is developing membership-based, insured events to give enthusiasts a legal venue.

Public commenters from Compton and neighboring unincorporated areas urged sustained enforcement and faster response times to takeovers reported by residents. City and community leaders urged continued resource allocation to county-unincorporated hotspots and broader sharing of lessons with contract cities.

The board accepted the report and directed staff to continue implementation and data consolidation for the next quarterly presentation. No formal ordinance was adopted at this hearing; staff said the next steps include refined data reporting, additional deterrent installations and continued coordination with social media platforms and regional partners.