Videos show illegal car racing meetups across Suffolk County
BROOKHAVEN, N.Y. -- Videos of illegal car racing meetups on Long Island are prompting calls for tougher penalties.
The chaotic scenes were captured at multiple locations over the weekend in Suffolk County, and one young spectator was hurt.
From Patchogue to Shirley, Sound Beach to Miller Place, there were coordinated illegal events billed as "takedowns" early Sunday morning.
"Perhaps they are under the misconception that you can come out to Suffolk County, where it's less populated, and just go crazy. It's not going to happen," said Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico.
"This isn't a movie"
The videos show dangerous tricks, with people hanging off cars and fireworks being thrown in Patchogue. One driver was arrested for fleeing from police, and a 19-year-old woman was hit by a car and seriously injured.
"This isn't a movie. These are people's lives, somebody's going to get killed," Panico said.
Neil Foley lives within earshot of the Gateway Plaza in Patchogue.
"It was just pure insanity. People getting together, causing chaos," he said. "There's thousands of dollars worth of property damage."
"I was just mind numbing how loud it was," added resident Ken Howard.
In Sound Beach and Miller Place, cars obstructed traffic, including an ambulance.
Ongoing issue on Long Island
CBS News New York has been covering these illegal meetups for years. Two years ago, the Suffolk County Police Department announced a crackdown and began impounding cars.
Now, Panico says the law needs more teeth.
"Make the people, if they get through the criminal justice system and they are able to redeem these vehicles, pay the actual cost of the salaries of the police and everybody associated with their crime," he said.
New York State Sen. Anthony Palumbo, who represents the area, is drafting legislation to make it a crime to block an emergency vehicle.
Meanwhile, Panico says he expects more arrests with all the cellphone video out there. Suffolk County Police did impound one car after it stalled and the driver fled on foot.
"The Suffolk County Police Department is continuing to investigate the illegal car meets from over the weekend. We are currently reviewing videos and gathering additional evidence to hold motorists accountable for reckless driving and identify spectators for unlawful assembly," Suffolk Police said in a statement.
Anyone with information is asked to call Suffolk County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.
