LAPD's 'Operation Street Sweeper' nets 69 arrests, 570 citations in Harbor Gateway

Key points

• LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell announced 'Operation Street Sweeper' targeted four separate takeovers, culminating at the intersection of South Figueroa Street and West Alondra Boulevard around 2 a.m. on September 5.
• More than 700 people gathered at the scene, leading to 69 total arrests, including 66 for participating in or aiding a street race and three for assaulting an officer, battery, or obstruction.
• Officers issued 570 citations, with 442 for spectating a speed contest and 128 for juvenile curfew violations, noting the youngest participant was 11 years old.
• Law enforcement impounded between 150 and 200 vehicles, depending on the source, and seized seven firearms and canisters of nitrous oxide; one impounded vehicle caught fire during the operation.
• The operation involved over 150 LAPD officers, along with deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, California Highway Patrol, and four Homeland Security Investigations officers.

Background

Street takeovers have plagued Los Angeles County for several years, with recent weeks seeing a marked increase in incidents that often lead to robberies of nearby retail stores, such as the August looting of a Superior Grocers in South Los Angeles. In August, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department formed a Street Racing Task Force to hold organizers accountable. This latest operation follows a summer of increased enforcement efforts, including a ride-along investigation by ABC7 earlier in the year.

How outlets are covering it

While all sources confirm the core statistics of 69 arrests and 570 citations, there is a discrepancy regarding the number of impounded vehicles. ABC7, Daily Breeze, and CBS News report that 200 vehicles were impounded, whereas the Los Angeles Times cites a figure of approximately 160. Additionally, the role of federal agents varies by outlet; Daily Breeze and CBS News note the presence of Homeland Security Investigations officers assisting with the operation, while the Los Angeles Times reports that Councilmember Tim McOsker was unaware of their specific role, emphasizing it was a local police operation. ABC7 highlights the use of drone technology to predict the locations of four separate takeovers, a detail not emphasized by the other outlets.

Why it matters

The operation signals a shift in LAPD strategy from reactive policing to proactive, intelligence-led enforcement, aiming to deter the growing trend of street takeovers that endanger residents and lead to associated crimes like looting. The significant number of juvenile citations and the recovery of firearms highlight the risks to young participants and the community, prompting calls from city leaders for continued enforcement and parental awareness.

What to watch

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell stated that 'Operation Street Sweeper' is only the beginning and that the department will continue to gather intelligence to bust planned takeovers. City leaders, including Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Tim McOsker, have pledged to prioritize prevention, deterrence, and enforcement to protect neighborhoods and ensure those involved face consequences.