Jackson police are once again taking steps to curb illegal drag racing, a problem that has plagued the city of Jackson for years.
Jacquelyn Thomas of JPD, captain of Precinct 4, said the department is working with other law enforcement agencies, including the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department, on an “action plan” to stop the races. Mayor Jackson Chokwe Antar Lumumba invited Thomas to speak on the topic during his press conference on Monday.
Thomas said JPD is trying to narrow down the different areas where complaints have been made about drag racing, which she said is happening all over the city and not just in one specific area. She also said JPD is working to find out who the organizers of the races are.
“We’re concerned about the safety of the public, we’re concerned about the streets, we’re concerned about accidents happening,” Thomas said. “The plan of action with the Jackson Police Department is to enforce road obstruction and traffic regulations, disturbing the peace as drag racing takes place not only on main roads but also in residential areas.”
Thomas asked residents to call if they see drag racing taking place near where they live.
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said the drag races are “highly coordinated events,” with participants able to adapt to different parts of the city as they see law enforcement agencies trying to set up traps.
“While our police are trying to set certain traps… they (the drag racers) are adapting,” Lumumba said. “I want those who participate to know that the range of penalties is not just a ticket for speeding, but you can get a misdemeanor for endangering people.”
This isn’t the first time the city has tried to curb illegal drag racing. In 2021, a group of drag racers shut down Interstate 55 for nearly an hour as several cars performed donuts on the roadway. Dozens of participants urged the drivers on, according to previous Clarion Ledger reports. A video of the incident was posted to Facebook at the time and was shared almost 7,000 times in three days. The video has now been removed from Facebook.
Following this, the Jackson City Council introduced ordinances to increase penalties for those arrested for drag racing.
Drag Racing Regulations
Currently, the city’s drag racing ordinance is named after Jackson resident Charles Griffin’s son, Chuck, an 18-year-old who was killed after a car struck him as he stood at the front door of a friend’s house.
The “Charles ‘Chuck’ Griffin, Jr. drag racing ordinance” was strengthened and included increased penalties for those arrested, as well as for offenders who had their cars towed around the city.
An initial citation and conviction for those caught drag racing “is punishable by a penalty of ten days in jail and/or a $500 fine. Vehicles used during the commission of this offense will be collected by the City of Jackson at the owner’s expense be towed at a rate of $125.00, then stored at the city storage facility at a rate of $35 per day for each day vehicles are held.
For subsequent offenses, a citation and conviction will result in 30 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: JPD working on ‘action plan’ to stop illegal drag racing
