The Stockton Police Department Sideshow Task Force made 44 arrests over the Cinco de Mayo weekend in its latest effort to shut down unlawful vehicle stunts at hotspots around the city.
In a news release, Stockton police reported 1,243 traffic stops and 1,137 citations, towed 233 vehicles and recovered six guns during what it described as a “high-visibility, zero-tolerance enforcement mission.”
Sideshows are often illegal demonstrations of automotive stunts, often held in vacant lots, and public intersections. According to the release, sideshows have evolved in recent years to encompass a range of criminal elements — including gun violence, narcotics possession, property damage and public safety concerns.
The weekend mission “undoubtedly” impacted sideshow activity, according to the release.
“We encourage everyone to drive safely and not participate in sideshows,” police said in the release.
Last year, almost 90 vehicles were impounded as a result of a sideshow bust that halted sideshows for over 100 days in Stockton, CBS 13 reported at the time.
The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, SJC Probation, SJC District Attorney’s Investigators, California Highway Patrol, and the Manteca, Lathrop, and Escalon police departments assisted Stockton police.
Tips can be submitted anonymously to Stockton Crime Stoppers by calling 209-946-0600, online at StocktonCrimeStoppers.org, or by downloading the P3 Tips mobile app.