Drag Racing Reported in Perry Hall, White Marsh, Essex

Officers have recently issued several traffic citations to suspected drag racers in the Perry Hall, White Marsh and Essex areas, police said. 

An "ad hoc car group" of young drivers tends to gather outside shopping centers on Sunday nights, Capt. Michael Balog of the White Marsh police precinct said. Reports of drag racing by the group have increased since early spring. 

Police described several of the participating vehicles as "souped-up" Japanese models, similar to those featured in The Fast and the Furious film franchise. 

The group, which includes up to 100 vehicles, was known to meet outside the Golden Ring Wal-Mart on Sunday nights. It later moved to the parking lot of the White Marsh Lowe's Home Improvement store. Drag racing by the same group has been reported along , across from the , and along , near the restaurant. 

Simply gathering outside of shopping centers is not illegal, Balog said, adding that many of the participants are law-abiding citizens. Police only disperse drivers in parking lots with the permission of the property owner. Some groups of muscle car enthusiasts, for example, are welcomed by area businesses, he said. 

Police, however, have recently issued several citations to group participants who have violated traffic laws along roads and in residential areas, Balog said. Speed is not the only violation—drivers have been pulled over for technical violations, related to lights and signals, as well. 

Police encourage residents who suspect drag racing, or any other traffic violations by car groups, to call 911 immediately, Balog said. Property owners are also encouraged to contact police if they are interested in preventing car groups from meeting in their parking lots.