Council asks city attorney to draft anti-drag-racing ordinance after residents— testimony; measure passes 8-3

The Los Angeles City Council on June 2 voted to ask the city attorney to draft an ordinance aimed at curbing illegal street drag racing by authorizing stronger penalties, extended vehicle impoundment and enforcement against spectators.

Councilmember Burnson introduced the measure asking the city attorney to draft an ordinance that would make being a spectator at a drag race a punishable violation and allow impoundment of vehicles seized in connection with drag racing for up to 180 days. Burnson said the measure responds to repeated incidents of dangerous street racing that damage property and threaten residents.

"These drag races take place on our city streets, and endanger property and life," Burnson said. "We're asking the city attorney to draft an ordinance. I think this is very important."

Public testimony was sharply divided. Candido Mars, a constituent from the San Fernando Valley, described nightly races on Reseda Boulevard and urged tougher enforcement to protect children and property. "This isn't about taking away somebody's rights. This is about protecting children," Mars said.

Other speakers and several council members raised constitutional and proportionality concerns. Councilmember Holden asked whether the proposal might be unconstitutional or overbroad and questioned whether penalties — including long-term vehicle impoundment — would be proportional to the offense.

"I have some difficulty with it," said Councilmember Goldberg, who said she supported action against drag racing but worried about seizing vehicles and criminalizing spectators. "How is watching aiding and abetting?"

Councilmember Padilla and others argued that current penalties were not deterring repeat offenders and called for stronger measures and vehicle inspections before release. The city attorney said the office would research legality and return a proposed ordinance or explain legal obstacles.

The council approved the request to draft an ordinance with an 8-3 roll-call vote. The action instructs the city attorney to prepare draft ordinance language for committee consideration; it does not itself create new criminal penalties.

Why it matters: Residents and council members said illegal street racing has become a persistent public-safety and property-damage issue in multiple neighborhoods. The measure asks legal staff to prepare an enforceable ordinance but drew objections from members who warned against creating unconstitutional or disproportionate penalties.

Next steps: City Attorney's office will research legal issues and, if feasible, draft ordinance language and return it to the council for committee and eventual council consideration. The transcript records the council—s 8-3 vote to seek an ordinance; the council did not adopt ordinance language on the floor.