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An effort to crack down on illegal street racing is making a comeback for the second summer in a row. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday that it is once again partnering with the I-29 Speedway to offer free passes to interested drivers. It comes after a recent intersection takeover that led to two arrests.The I-29 Speedway told KETV they’re excited for another year of this partnership, and the sheriff’s office said it’s an important partnership to help people interested in racing practice it in a safe manner. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Community Action Team said illegal street racing, burnouts, and intersection takeovers, like the one that happened on April 12 near 72nd and McKinnley streets, have become more common in the past couple of years. “It’s almost every night,” Deputy Andrew Berkshire said. “The weekends on that Thursday, Friday, Saturday, that’s when we’re seeing the most activity.”Activities deputies are working to curb because they know how quickly they can accelerate.”These events have actually, in the past year have turned deadly,” Berkshire said. “We’ve had shootings. People have been struck by vehicles that are doing burnouts.”Even if you’re simply a spectator, Berkshire said you could still be held accountable. “We’ve also been utilizing the new city ordinance that covers spectators at these events, too,” Berkshire said. However, the sheriff’s office said it’s not about hitting the brakes on someone’s interests, but rather offering a safe option to explore them. That’s why they’re partnering with the I-29 Speedway for a second summer. “We have a couple hundred passes that we’re going to be handing out over the next few months. As we get into the summer months, when these crowds come out, and it’s getting more popular,” Berkshire said. “We want people to be interested in cars. We have lots of deputies that are car enthusiasts themselves. But we want to encourage people to go to a safe environment where they can still have fun and be responsible.”The sheriff’s office said they will be handing out free passes at events around the metro, but you can also visit their office near 156th and West Maple to get one. To learn more about the I-29 Speedway and what they offer, click here.
An effort to crack down on illegal street racing is making a comeback for the second summer in a row.
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The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday that it is once again partnering with the I-29 Speedway to offer free passes to interested drivers. It comes after a recent intersection takeover that led to two arrests.
The I-29 Speedway told KETV they’re excited for another year of this partnership, and the sheriff’s office said it’s an important partnership to help people interested in racing practice it in a safe manner.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Community Action Team said illegal street racing, burnouts, and intersection takeovers, like the one that happened on April 12 near 72nd and McKinnley streets, have become more common in the past couple of years.
“It’s almost every night,” Deputy Andrew Berkshire said. “The weekends on that Thursday, Friday, Saturday, that’s when we’re seeing the most activity.”
Activities deputies are working to curb because they know how quickly they can accelerate.
“These events have actually, in the past year have turned deadly,” Berkshire said. “We’ve had shootings. People have been struck by vehicles that are doing burnouts.”
Even if you’re simply a spectator, Berkshire said you could still be held accountable.
“We’ve also been utilizing the new city ordinance that covers spectators at these events, too,” Berkshire said.
However, the sheriff’s office said it’s not about hitting the brakes on someone’s interests, but rather offering a safe option to explore them. That’s why they’re partnering with the I-29 Speedway for a second summer.
“We have a couple hundred passes that we’re going to be handing out over the next few months. As we get into the summer months, when these crowds come out, and it’s getting more popular,” Berkshire said. “We want people to be interested in cars. We have lots of deputies that are car enthusiasts themselves. But we want to encourage people to go to a safe environment where they can still have fun and be responsible.”
The sheriff’s office said they will be handing out free passes at events around the metro, but you can also visit their office near 156th and West Maple to get one.
To learn more about the I-29 Speedway and what they offer, click here.
