Eight arrested, cars impounded as cops pounce on Vallejo sideshow

The ongoing “sideshow take-overs” throughout Vallejo was thwarted — at least one night — when Vallejo police and CHP arrested eight participants and impounded their cars Sunday night.

“I’m very pleased with the actions of the police department,” said Mayor Bob Sampayan. “And I’m pleased other agencies stepped up to help us.”

Sampayan said a CHP helicopter was integral in stopping the sideshow.

“Without it, it would have been difficult arresting some of the individuals, especially the ones who fled,” Sampayan said.

After nearly 20 documented sideshows in Vallejo in July, the Lt. Drew Ramsay vowed last week at a City Council teleconferenced meeting that the VPD was going to increase its enforcement with the help of surrounding agencies.

One longtime Vallejo resident is grateful.

Rick Mariani, a 20-year Vallejoan, was thrilled with the police action, adding he’s “never seen it this bad” with the constant sideshows.

“I am glad some of these idiots are being arrested or their cars impounded,” Mariani said. “A single car woke me up just after midnight spinning donuts outside my home on the corner of Redwood and Hermosa.”

This driver was spinning round and round and a few cars on Redwood had to stop until he finished his foolery,” Mariani continued. ” A few minutes later he drove off toward Broadway and I heard his tires squealing again and then heard two gunshots or explosions.”

With the arrests, “my hope is the message gets out that this will not be tolerated,” Sampayan said, also hoping the steep towing and storage fees — a 30-day impound costs roughly $3,00 — dissuades side-show organizers from hitting Vallejo.

“I had a family call me all upset … the son had taken their car for a sideshow and it was impounded .. and they how they would now get to work like it’s our fault,” Sampayan said.

Sideshows are illegal, the mayor noted, and participants are often guilty of reckless driving, speeding, and, if there are minors in the car, child endangerment.

“We cannot allow people from out of town to come into our city and terrorize our streets,” said Councilmember Hakeem Brown.

“We have to take a stand,” Brown said, adding that he believes the crackdown will be a deterrent to the sideshows.

“It is a quality of life issue in our community,” Brown continued.

The councilmember suggested perhaps Sonoma Raceway at Sears Point in Sonoma would be a proper site for sanctioned side-shows, coordinated between police and youth.

“Let’s figure out a way to do it there. Right on Georgia Street in front of Hogan Middle School isn’t the place or any other part of Vallejo,” said Brown.