South Gate Residents Concerned with Rise in Cruising

At first, cruising in South Gate was not seen as a serious problem by anyone. It was simply a habit of teenagers being social with their cars. They drove in groups and stopped in parking lots to mostly chat and listen to music.  However, local residents are concerned that this form of teenage rebellion has developed into something much more dangerous.

“A lot of the cruisers are now gang members,” said Tony Morales, a resident of South Gate that has been monitoring cruising for the past six years, along with other members of Community in Action, a local organization of concerned citizens. “This is a quality of life issue that is right in our face and is getting worse.”

Today’s cruisers are also no longer just driving in groups. They are performing driving doughnuts, carrying out exhibitionist speeds and in some cases, participating in illegal street racing.  Alcohol is also said to be present in the party like atmosphere that usually develops around the groups that practice this activity.

“[The cruisers] are burning tires and drinking,” said Waldo Perez, a resident of South Gate who has been observing this trend with Community in Action for over ten years. “There will be deaths or serious accidents if something is not done.”

The residents insist that cruising is unsafe for the drivers and those who could get caught in the middle. In fact, some residents admit to staying indoors and feeling unsafe on weekend nights.

“We have no peace of mind,” said Mary Castillo, another South Gate resident involved with the residents group. “You hear these cars and you don’t feel comfortable when you go out.”

According to the residents interviewed, and the South Gate Police Department, most cruising incidents within South Gate occur on Long Beach Boulevard. They also tend to happen on weekends at around midnight.

South Gate has an anti-cruising ordinance and the South Gate Police Department (SGPD) has impounded vehicles involved. However, they warn that it is a difficult problem to tackle in full. Blaming the various regional policing factors that can come into play.

“We need to work together with other agencies on a regional basis,” said Captain Keith Hupp of the SGPD. Further adding that the mobility of this activity makes it difficult for individual police department’s to completely address it. “Most of the problem is outside of South Gate.”

Check out the Youtube videos that show cruising on Long Beach Boulevard.

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