Heavy Police Presence Scares Off Potential Street Takeover In Vernon

VERNON, CT — A heavy police presence seemed to have scared away a potential street takeover gathering in Vernon Friday night.

Civilian cars, many of them with loud "performance" muffler systems, began gathering at the state commuter lot between routes 30 and 83 at about 7:30 p.m., a state trooper at the scene said.

They weren't alone however. Authorities were tipped off to the gathering, a trooper at the scene said. The more than 50 vehicles involved were soon joined by a heavy contingent of state and Vernon police cruisers. Police stayed in the adjacent shopping plaza near the Route 30 entrance to the commuter lot and monitored the civilian cars.

The gathering was uneventful. Most drivers stayed in their cars while other drivers mingled in the lot.

By 9 p.m., cars started leaving the lot. Most left quietly, but some drivers revved their vehicles to be extra loud. Most headed onto Interstate-84 westbound. A trooper at the scene said state police would be keeping up a close eye in them throughout the night.

Late last month, state police said that a statewide tip line and website have been established for street takeovers.

Residents can call 1-800-CALL-FBI and select the "Connecticut Street Takeovers" option, or visit fbi.gov/cttakeovertips to provide investigators with video/photos related to takeover outbreaks. All information may be submitted anonymously and will remain confidential, state police said.