In one of a series of violent street-racing incidents over the weekend, rioters surrounded and jumped a police vehicle with officers still inside during an illegal street occupation in Philadelphia, authorities said.
According to Philadelphia Police, the incidents happened at multiple locations across the city between 9:30 p.m. Saturday night and 5 a.m. Sunday morning, with large crowds and between 50 and 200 vehicles gathering at each location.
Footage of the incident showed cars spinning around while people set off fireworks and set rubbish on fire, and rioters vandalising a police vehicle.
“They physically attacked several officers,” Philadelphia Deputy Police Commissioner Mike Crum told reporters at a press conference on Monday, noting the “aggression” of the mob.
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Police said that during one incident, rioters “physically attacked several police officers.” (Adi Kamugisha)
“There are officers in cars, they're jumping on windshields, they're physically damaging cars,” Crum said. “They don't care about your safety, they don't care about their safety. If you've seen the video of what they do, they really don't care. It's just a question of how much chaos they can cause.”
Authorities said rioters set fires, set off fireworks and damaged five police vehicles. (Adi Kamugisha)
Crum said officers were “trapped” in their vehicles as rioters swarmed the patrol, adding that they were “certainly targeted” during the overnight incident.
According to police, five Philadelphia Police Department vehicles sustained various damage, including broken windshields and flat tires. A vehicle that was hit by a patrol car fled the scene, and one officer sustained minor injuries.
Police responded to multiple incidents of street sieges and illegal street racing across Philadelphia within hours. (Adi Kamugisha)
Crum acknowledged that the problem of street racing and street takeovers affects communities across the country and said investigators are working to identify those involved in the disruptions.
“This isn't just a Philadelphia issue, it's a national issue,” Crum said of the illegal activities.
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Last year, the states of Texas and California created street racing and hijacking task forces focused on seizing such vehicles. Florida is Police arrest and charge street racers with related videos posted online. New York and Washington previously announced plans They call for the installation of noise recognition cameras and tougher penalties for street racers.
Philadelphia lawmakers signed a bill last year to crack down on street racing, fining participants $2,000 and seizing their vehicles.
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Authorities urge anyone with information about the Philadelphia incident to call the Philadelphia Police Department at (215) 686-TIPS (8477).
