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Board backs tougher penalties and diversion for illegal street takeovers, cites 33% countywide drop after interventions
Summary
Supervisors approved amendments to County Code Chapter 13.466 to raise misdemeanor fines for illegal street takeovers and codify diversion for eligible first-time offenders. Staff cited a 33% drop in takeover activity after a multi-pronged prevention strategy; the Board approved the ordinance amendments with one abstention.
Los Angeles — The Board of Supervisors voted to strengthen the county's enforcement tools against illegal street takeovers on Tuesday, raising the misdemeanor fine and formally placing diversion options into county code.
Department presenters explained the recommended amendments to Chapter 13.466, which would increase the maximum applicable fine from $500 to $1,000 and add diversion pathways for eligible first-time violators. Deputy County Counsel Laura Jacobson described the need to align the ordinance with case law and regional practice: "The fine would be doubled from $500 to $1,000. Diversion introduced as one of the penalties," she said.
Carrie Miller and Sheriff's Commander Terence Bell told supervisors the ordinance supplements a multi-pronged county approach — enforcement, education, infrastructure improvements and diversion — and provides additional accountability tools to pursue organizers and promoters of takeover events. Staff reported a 33% countywide decline in takeover incidents after one year of implementing the coordinated plan, but noted it can be difficult to isolate the impact of a single intervention. Commander Bell said raising penalties gives the sheriff's department "another tool to deter and also encourage ... education" aimed at participants and organizers.
Supervisors asked for objective data; staff committed to return with a quarterly report with more detailed indicators. They cited regional examples including Compton (which has higher fines) and Cook County, Illinois, both as jurisdictions they are watching for outcomes.
After public comment that included both support for tougher enforcement and opposition from callers concerned about criminalization, the board approved the ordinance amendments. The motion carried on a roll call with four ayes and one abstention.
Votes and procedural outcome: Motion passed 4–0 with 1 abstention; staff will return with data in the next quarterly report.
