LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In Louisville, police are trying to crack down on street racing, after several reports across the Metro over the weekend.
In a statement Monday morning, the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) called the races "unacceptable and a danger to the community."
Authorities said a man was shot in downtown Louisville, directly connected to one of those street races near 2nd Street and River Road late into the night Saturday and early Sunday morning.
In another video shared with WHAS11, dozens of people could be seen blocking off the intersection of Kenwood Drive and New Cut Road early Sunday morning. Two cars can be seen doing burnouts before police arrive. Some spectators even jump on the fast-moving LMPD cruisers as the scene clears within a minute.
On Monday, an LMPD spokesperson said police seized two cars, arrested four people and confiscated four weapons over the weekend in connection to street racing. One citation was issued as well.
Police also confirmed another street takeover happened at 23rd and Market Streets.
On Monday, Mayor Craig Greenberg called the actions captured on video "totally unacceptable behavior," adding that he and LMPD Interim Chief Paul Humphrey are "very focused on this."
"We had a large detail out last night," he told WHAS11. "We will continue to make sure we hold people accountable."
Police said an amended version of a Louisville ordinance, “Vehicle Speed Contests and Reckless Driving Exhibitions," allows them to target vehicles, too, instead of solely the operators.
Enforcement can include confiscation of cars as well as hefty fines for owners.
In a statement, Humphrey said this change to city code has allowed them to confiscate cars simply for blocking a road for street racing. Previously, he says police could only take the vehicle if it was directly participating.
LMPD said since the revised version of the ordinance went into effect in 2023, police have seized 63 vehicles along with issuing numerous citations and making multiple arrests.
"Our sincere hope is those who are contemplating such activity make the adult choice to find a more safe and legal form of entertainment," Humphrey said in a statement. "If you are a person who is considering participating in these events, please know: you are responsible for the harm it causes, and we will make every effort to ensure you are held accountable."
An employee of The B.A. Colonial, a restaurant right at the intersection near Iroquois Park, who was working that night told WHAS11, although there were a wide range of ages at the intersection, "there were a lot of kids."
"I was more nervous about what it could have turned into," she said. "You don't know in today's world what someone could do."
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