Rohnert Park's New Law Puts The Brakes On Sideshows

ROHNERT PARK, CA — A new law meant to curb sideshows in the City of Rohnert Park was approved Feb. 14 by Rohnert Park City Council and takes effect March 14.

"With organized sideshows growing to hundreds of cars and becoming more violent, sideshows frequently require a significant police response from our Public Safety Department and other law enforcement agencies from throughout the county," the city said in a news release. "Sideshow participants have been increasingly violent toward the responding officers as bottles, rocks and other dangerous items have been thrown at them and their patrol cars. Additionally, fire trucks and ambulances have been surrounded and damaged when trying to administer medical aid to persons involved in or around the sideshow events."

Rohnert Park City Council in October gave direction to city staff to prepare a sideshow ordinance. Based on City Council’s direction, the ordinance prohibits participation in any street races or “sideshows,” which are defined to include reckless driving exhibitions or participating in events where five or more people block or impede traffic for purposes of performing vehicle stunts or speed contests. The ordinance prohibits someone from being knowingly present, within 200 feet of the location where such events are occurring, or for the purpose of being a spectator of such events. Organizing, publicizing, or promoting such illegal street races and sideshows are also prohibited. The penalties for violating the ordinance are up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine.

The ordinance will be enforceable once it takes effect in mid-March. It allows RPDPS to deter sideshow behavior through enforcement, provide public education and work with the city engineer on traffic mitigation, the city said.

See a certified copy of the full text here.

Rohnert Park's ordinance comes after the City of Santa Rosa adopted a sideshow ordinance in November that includes the ability to arrest or cite participants, vehicle passengers, spectators and organizers.

On Jan. 24 following a monthslong investigation into people suspected of organizing and promoting such sideshows, Santa Rosa police served 14 arrest warrants at 14 different locations in Santa Rosa, Petaluma and Rohnert Park. Seven people were arrested for warrants associated with the ongoing investigation, and one additional person was arrested for possession of a firearm. Eleven firearms were seized as well as thousands of rounds of ammunition, Santa Rosa police said.