On June 8, 2025, Portland Police’s North Precinct hosted a mission in response to street takeover events throughout the city of Portland.This mission aimed to create a safer community by deterring the unlawful assembly of street racers and apprehending individuals who participate in unsafe and illegal car spectacles.
Members from all three precincts, the Focused Intervention Team, PPB Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit, PPB Air Support Unit, PPB K9 Unit, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office all united to make this mission a success.
Despite the fact there were several attempts by participants to congregate and conduct illegal street takeover events, the City of Portland did not have a single intersection taken over last night.
PPB members made more than 20 traffic stops on vehicles targeted due to reasonable suspicion of the drivers’ participation in street takeovers.These stops resulted in the seizure of 4 vehicles, 2 of which will be submitted for criminal forfeiture under Senate Bill 615.
Four suspects were arrested, amounting to the filing of 8 felony charges and 10 misdemeanor charges. Furthermore, 2 firearms were seized and over 3.6 grams of illegal drugs were seized.
Thanks to the diligent work of officers and thoughtful leadership of supervisors there was not a single crash related to these events and no community members were injured.This mission was a successful display of the Portland Police Bureau’s ability to collaborate and ensure that public safety continues to remain a top priority.
“Street racing and street takeovers are reckless behaviors that endanger not only the participants but also innocent drivers who share the road,” said Chief Bob Day. “The PPB officers and our partners took decisive enforcement action this weekend and effectively stopped behavior that is dangerous and poses a safety risk to our community.”
You can watch a video here of a past mission.
PPB has worked with our partners at the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office to pursue criminal forfeiture of cars involved in certain circumstances, meaning the owners could lose their cars permanently. Under the new Reckless Driving law (811.140), a vehicle used in a street racing-like activity is subject to criminal forfeiture. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is coordinating with PPB to use criminal forfeiture to, where appropriate, prevent these drivers from retrieving their vehicles.
It's not just the drivers that can face consequences. ORS 811.127 addresses individuals who are facilitating or aiding another to engage in speed racing on a highway or reckless driving and individuals who obstruct or place a barricade on a highway or assist with placing an obstruction or barricade on a highway. The first offense is a misdemeanor while the second offense is a felony if committed within five years of the first offense.
In addition to that state statute and others, Portland City Code addresses this dangerous activity.
1. Unlawful street takeover event means an activity that is:
a. Unpermitted;
b. Preplanned or contemporaneously coordinated by two or more persons; and
c. Involves one or more persons demonstrating, exhibiting, or comparing the maneuverability or power of one or more motor vehicles in a curved direction, in a circular direction, or around corners, including but not limited to by breaking traction in a curved or circular direction or around corners.
2. A person commits the offense of an Unlawful Street Takeover if, in a public place or upon a highway, the person knowingly operates a motor vehicle while engaged in an unlawful street takeover event.
3.1. Highway means the entire width of a public right-of-way when any portion thereof is intended for motor vehicle movement or motor vehicle access to abutting property.
3.2. Public place means an area, whether publicly or privately owned, generally open to the public and includes, without limitation, the grounds surrounding buildings or dwellings, streets, sidewalks, bridges, tunnels, alleys, plazas, parks, driveways, and parking lots.
The Portland Police Bureau has updated its vehicle towing policy and now authorizes towing vehicles of drivers operating without valid driving privileges and lack of insurance, and to address street takeovers.
The Bureau recently substantially revised Directive 0630.60, Vehicle Dispositions. Most significantly, the revised directive has the following changes:
- The directive authorizes towing for certain offenses, such as unlicensed drivers, suspended drivers, and lack of insurance.
2) The directive authorizes towing for violating new Portland City Code, 14A.30.080, Unlawful Street Takeover and Unlawful Staging of a Street Takeover Event.
3) The directive provides new guidance on responding to stolen vehicles reported at tow lots, temporary holds for VIN inspections, and abandoned vehicle towing.
- The most noteworthy change to revised Directive 0630.60 is the newly authorized towing for certain offenses such as driving uninsured, suspended, without a license, or in a street takeover pursuant to a new Portland City Code provision, 14A.30.080. This change brings the Bureau in line with both neighboring law enforcement agency common practice and state law authorization for towing. Additionally, the change was supported in public comments and among internal subject matter experts and stakeholders within the Bureau, and will serve as an additional tool for the Bureau to increase traffic safety.
- While the policy allows for tows in circumstances where they were not permitted before, the policy does not require them in most cases. The policy specifically encourages Police Bureau members to exercise discretion in impounding vehicles under circumstances that may create undue hardship or risk to the occupants. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to: the presence of young children, elderly, or disabled persons; vehicles equipped for use by such persons; and vehicles used as homes.
Members of the public are encouraged, before driving on public roads, to verify that their driver's license is current and valid and that they have current proof of insurance.
PPB has previously released a video about this ordinance. See it here.
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