A large-scale crackdown on illegal street takeovers netted a lot more for the Stockton Police Department than the scores of cars it recently towed to the impound yard, authorities reported Friday.

More Officers said they not only pulled over 1,480 motorists, but issued nearly as many traffic citations — 1,234 — last weekend as part of the joint operation, which included the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.

Even more significant, they made 47 arrests. Officer Omer Edhah told Stocktonia that suspects were taken into custody on suspicion of a variety of crimes. Some included vehicle pursuits by those trying to outrun police. Police said other had guns, illegal bullet magazines or ammunition in their cars. Still others were suspected of drunken driving or were arrested on outstanding warrants.

In addition, more than 50 people were cited for modifying cars in ways that violate emissions or noise regulations. Those “state referral” vehicles won’t be allowed back on the road until the violations are corrected and the cars pass inspection by the state, Edhah said.

It was all in the name of trying to quell dangerous sideshows. The illegal gatherings include late-night takeovers of streets or intersections in which drivers perform wheel-spinning stunts. Sometimes guns are displayed, passengers hang out car windows or vehicles drift into crowds, causing injuries and, sometimes, deaths.

Stockton police, which said 141 vehicles were towed, called the coordinated efforts “a win for public safety.” The department’s enforcement was in addition to that from neighboring law enforcement agencies. The Sheriff’s Office reported some 60 cars were impounded in their weekend crackdown. Other departments participating in the task force included the California Highway Patrol as well as the police departments from Lodi, Manteca and Lathrop.

Police hope the scope of the operation will deter future sideshows.

“These numbers reflect not only enforcement activity, but also the strong deterrence effect created when agencies stand together with a shared mission of public safety,” the department said in a statement. “The community felt it, the city benefited from it, and the results speak for themselves.