Some street racers stage a "takeover" in New Orleans as videos posted to social media showed dangerous car stunts, illegal firearms and a couple of thugs jumping on a police vehicle.
Posts on social media showed cars doing donuts as onlookers recorded with at least two people being struck by vehicles.
“In an afternoon press conference, NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said there were at least four of these “pop-up” car shows, and some appeared to be organized by people from outside of the city and drawing people from other states.
“There’s no way in hell we should allow anyone to come to our city and rule our city the way they (did) yesterday,” Ferguson said. “The disrespect was real and the response is going to be very real.”
Mayor LaToya Cantrell issued a statement calling the stunts “reckless criminal behavior,” a “threat to public safety,” and “completely unacceptable.”
“These brazen actions have accelerated to a complete disregard and blatant disrespect for law enforcement. This ends now!” Cantrell said in a statement. “The dedicated women and men of the New Orleans Police Department have pledged their lives to protecting and keeping the public safe. We must show them the gratitude and respect they’ve earned. My administration stands with the New Orleans Police Department as they seek to increase criminal penalties associated with this type of behavior, and as they relentlessly pursue all perpetrators who place the public at risk.”