Oakland

1 Arrested, 10 Cited in Oakland Illegal Sideshows: Police

Police in the Bay Area are cracking down on sideshows this Labor Day weekend, particularly in Oakland where officers will be patrolling by air and on the ground to curb the dangerous and gridlock-causing gatherings.

Oakland police said the Alameda County Sheriff's Office and California Highway Patrol helped them disrupt illegal sideshow activity Saturday night, including by the air in helicopters from OPD and CHP.

Ten citations were issued, and one arrest was made. Plus four vehicles were towed, each with a 30-day hold, police said.

A majority of the those cited or arrested we’re not from Oakland, police said.

Police in Oakland begin every summer weekend shift with a briefing to discuss known trouble spots where sideshow enthusiasts congregate. Officers patrol those areas throughout the weekend, especially on holiday weekends.

Air support units let their presence be known by circling above those problem areas.

“It is a huge deterrent because if the people who perpetrate crimes see us, they’re going to think twice about doing it,” said Oakland Police Air Support Officer Sean McLure.

“I’ve been with the department 26-plus years and this was going on when I first started,” McLure said.

Officers are also watching out for DUI drivers, another issue on holiday weekends.

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