Police arrested a teenager, issued five citations and towed five illegal electric motorcycles (e-motos) and one illegal pocket bike they say were involved in an all-bike, multiple street takeover, or “ride out,” in Long Beach on Friday, March 27, authorities said.
More than 50 people took part in the chaos, the Long Beach Police Department said in a news release on Sunday. They said the group rode illegal e-motos, pocket bikes, and e-bikes “recklessly” around the city.
No cars were involved, police Officer Eric Stachura said. The takeover wasn’t confined to a specific intersection or area, Stachura said in an interview, but was rather a “ride out” that took place mostly in downtown and in West Long Beach.
The 50 riders were seen driving dangerously, including performing wheelies, traveling at high speeds close to other motorists, and running stop signs, Stachura said.
“After learning about this large group, officers from multiple divisions worked together to impact the significant public safety risk these illegal e-bikes/pocket bikes can pose,” Police Chief Wally Hebeish said in the news release. “Traffic safety remains a priority for the Long Beach Police Department, and we are committed to supporting this collaborative work in our city.”
A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of reckless driving and other grounds, police said, and another five people were issued citations for vehicle code violations.
The 17-year-old was booked for operating a motorcycle without a valid motorcycle endorsement or license, reckless driving, non-injury hit-and-run, failure to exchange information after a traffic collision, and failure to display a license plate, according to Stachura.
The police department also towed five illegal e-motos, the release said, along with one illegal pocket bike. E-motos and pocket bikes – miniature, two-wheeled motorcycles – are illegal on roadways and streets in Long Beach.
“Anyone who chooses to participate in reckless, illegal driving on our streets should be aware that we will continue to cite, arrest, and seize vehicles of those involved,” Hebeish said.
The Long Beach Police Department has been ramping up its efforts to crack down on illegal street takeovers in recent weeks. Traffic safety has long been a concern for Long Beach residents and city leaders alike, as fatal collisions continue to increase in the city.
Last year, Long Beach reported 53 fatal traffic collisions — one of the highest totals in more than a decade. The majority of people killed in traffic collisions were pedestrians.
That uptick spurred the Long Beach City Council to re-examine citywide traffic safety policies earlier this month, raising concern about the Public Works Department’s delays when responding to traffic safety requests.
Out of 220 “traffic calming” requests received since 2023, 180 locations were evaluated, but only 17 were ultimately prioritized for traffic calming improvements, according to a city memo released on Dec. 30. Traffic calming refers to infrastructure to be put in place to force traffic to slow or divert in certain areas, such as roundabouts or speed bumps.
The council, during that meeting earlier this month, directed the Public Works Department and City Manger’s office to review and update Long Beach’s Vision Zero goals. Under its original Vision Zero plan, the city had a goal to reduce traffic-related deaths and serious injuries to zero by 2026.
The city will also begin pursuing outside contractors to complete traffic evaluations, set clear deadlines for traffic studies, and handle minor traffic safety upkeep measures including crosswalk maintenance. Public Works, meanwhile, has also begun handling neighborhood and residential traffic safety concerns via the neighborhood traffic safety request portal.
The LBPD’s stricter enforcement regarding street takeovers, the department said in a separate Friday, March 27 news release, is a fixture of the city’s larger efforts to bolster traffic safety across the city.
Aside from the most recent street takeover, the LBPD also reported three additional street takeovers involving cars between Friday, March 20 and Monday, March 23. Throughout that weekend, the police department issued 11 citations for vehicle code violations, and arrested one person for failing to yield the right of way to traffic, obstructing a peace officer, illegal possession of fireworks without a permit, and an unregistered vehicle, according to the LBPD.
The police department also towed three vehicles in connection with those takeovers.
“The blatant disregard of vehicle code laws and road safety is unacceptable and can lead to catastrophic traffic collisions,” Hebeish said. “As we work together to improve traffic safety, I want to make clear that the Long Beach Police Department will not tolerate illegal motor vehicle exhibitions. We will continue to cite, arrest, and/or seize the vehicles of those who choose to participate in these gatherings and associated crimes.”
The LBPD encouraged residents to report illegal street takeovers to 911 for emergencies, or to 562-435-6711 for non-emergency police dispatch. Anonymous tips can also be made through LA Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
E-bikes are moving fast and local laws, safety measures are trying to catch up