Stopping Street Racing
by Stephen Hauck
CBS 42 News
2008-02-18 20:00:00.0
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The secret underground world of illegal street racing became not-so-secret in January, when two people were killed at a local race. So, what's being done to stop this behavior which has grown in popularity in recent years?
One mother, who lost her son in a deadly street race, reacts as well as local police.
It's been glamorized in Hollywood by movies like the "Fast and the Furious." From the streets of LA to right here in The Magic City, illegal street racing is a common occurrence.
Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper said, "Street racing has grown throughout this nation, so it's not just isolated in the Birmingham area. But we're gonna work hard to cut down the opportunity."
There's clearly no question of whether or not illegal street racing is happening in Birmingham. But the question is what's being done to stop it?
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"We've already contacted city engineers; we're developing a list of areas in our city where street racing has occurred in the past," said Roper.
Chief Roper adds that his department has two key goals to help stop this dangerous behavior. Adding more "rumble strips" in strategic locations across the city to deter speeding and putting more cops on the streets in the problem areas.
Tina Belcher hopes everything possible is done to put a dent in this activity. Her son, Jon, died in 2006 when he lost control of his motorcycle during a street race in Birmingham.
“Whether it be a motorcycle or a car, I don't think most parents know what their children are doing out there," said Belcher.
Since her son's death, Belcher has hit the streets to document the secret underworld of racing first-hand. She has also sent countless letters to legislators, and has been disappointed in the responses.
"It's a form letter, constantly just putting it off on somebody else's back," said Belcher.
But, it's a subject that Chief Roper indicates is a priority. However, he readily admits, assistance from the public will be vital if the community wants this dangerous activity to be stopped.
"We need our citizens to pick up the phone and call us, because they see more than we see," said Roper.
Chief Roper adds that another advantage for modern-day street racers is the popularity of wireless communication like cell phones and text messaging. He says these groups are able to disperse quickly, adding the department will have to impose their will on the situation in order to put an end to it.
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