Street takeovers drop across LA County, but deputies say the dangerous trend isn't going away

COMPTON, Calif. (KABC) -- Noisy, dangerous street takeovers that erupt on Southern California intersections late at night continue to pose major safety risks, even as new data shows a sharp decline in the illegal events across Los Angeles County.

High-speed donuts, near collisions, and crowds blocking intersections have become a familiar scene since the pandemic. Videos from recent street takeovers show cars spinning within feet of spectators, fireworks exploding in the roadways and what sound like gunshots.

"They can lose control, hit people, hit businesses," said David Murray, a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputy who is part of a special operations team targeting street takeovers.

During an overnight Sunday ride-along in Compton, Murray told ABC7 on Your Side Investigates that he has seen some events draw "upwards of 500 vehicles."

As ABC7 was out with Murray, we saw his colleagues stop a white car they say was seen leaving a takeover. The driver had no license and the vehicle's registration had expired. Deputies ordered everyone out before towing the car.

About 30 minutes later, around 1 a.m., a call came in that another takeover was forming. Deputies rushed to the intersection, lights and sirens blaring, scattering drivers and spectators before the event could begin.

"Anything from vandalism, assaults, shootings, a lot of these street takeover events involve stolen vehicles," said Captain Victor Puebla, who leads the sheriff's department's Compton Station.

According to the sheriff's department, Compton Station deputies have logged 113 street takeovers in the past six months, a 58% drop from the same period last year, when they responded to well over 200.

Across all areas served by the department, takeovers are down 56%, according to the L.A. County Chief Executive Office.

Puebla said the progress is encouraging but not enough.

"Although we've made progress with these street takeover events, it still remains a significant public safety issue, and we have a lot of work to do," he said.

Deputies credit both increased patrols and new infrastructure for bringing the numbers down. Raised bumpers are being installed in the middle of intersections throughout Compton and other parts of L.A. County to physically prevent cars from doing donuts.

"I think it's extremely important. We have to stay vigilant," Murray said.

Intersections without the bumpers remain marked with thick black skid marks from takeovers.

For now, Murray and his team continue their late-night patrols, working to keep the streets clear.