The Kent Police Department – in conjunction with Auburn Police – conducted an emphasis patrol that targeted illegal street racing on Saturday.
According to police, the combined effort resulted in about 30 arrests, 20 citations and the impounding of 25 cars. A large number of other cars had been abandoned and towed from the property at the property owner’s request, Kent Police said in a news release Monday.
The efforts of both departments made it possible to combine resources and contain a large group of illegal street racers and attendees in a warehouse complex in the north end of Kent.
By continuing to work with the community, surrounding law enforcement agencies, the city government and the prosecutor’s office, Kent and Auburn police hope to deter future illegal street racing.
A similar crackdown in South King County on illegal street racing in July resulted in 45 arrests, including three people who were engaged in racing, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The State Patrol worked with police in Auburn, Kent, Renton and Tukwila police to create a task force on illegal racing.
Illegal racing has led to crashes, property damage, fights, shootings, stabbings and other criminal activity, the State Patrol said.
The King County Sheriff’s Air Support Unit found large groups of people street racing in multiple cities in King County during the July operation.
Besides the arrests, one stolen vehicle was recovered.
Racers have used the streets in the industrial area of north Kent for decades. Police have tried numerous emphasis patrols over the years but the racing has continued.
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