St. Paul committee weighs ordinance to ban 'exhibition driving' after repeat gatherings at Harriet Island

St. Paul City Council members and public safety staff discussed pursuing a city ordinance to ban “exhibition driving”—including burnouts, donuts, drifting and street takeovers—after repeated gatherings and safety complaints at Harriet Island and near Raspberry Island.

The committee heard from City policy staff, Commander Jeremy Ellison of the Saint Paul Police Department and outside guests from Blaine and a neighboring Rapids city on how local ordinances, permits and enforcement practices have been used elsewhere to reduce the events and attendant dangers.

Council staff described exhibition driving as a distinct, social-media-fueled form of aggressive driving that turns roadways and parking lots into “impromptu arenas” for risky stunts and large crowds. “Exhibition driving is defined as a particularly dangerous form of aggressive driving that can include street racing, speed demonstration, burnouts, donuts, drifting, and street takeovers,” the presenter said.

Commander Jeremy Ellison, commander of the Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Unit, told the committee that St. Paul saw a rapid escalation of complaints in 2025 around Harriet Island, including engine revving, burnouts, crowded parking lots and traffic congestion. He said Parks and Recreation shortened park hours (from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m.) and Public Works posted traffic controls such as a no-left-turn sign at West…