Takin’ it to the Streets: Sideshows and Traffic Policy

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Last year, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors passed a law that criminalized spectating at the sideshows — the wildly dangerous illegal stunt driving exhibitions that have plagued Oakland and other cities for decades. The move comes as local jurisdictions attempt to curtail the outlaw events that have real costs: damage to infrastructure, injuries to participants and spectators, and increasingly, violence. A sideshow following a Juneteenth celebration near Oakland’s Lake Merritt erupted into a mass shooting that wounded 14.

But will arresting those just there to watch the spectacle help?

Our guest today, Oaklandside reporter Jose Fermoso, says no, and joined a lawsuit led by the First Amendment Coalition to challenge Alameda County’s sideshow law. Fermoso covers traffic issues, and has dug deep into sideshows, the culture they evolved from, and their cost to the community. The new law prevents him from reporting directly on sideshows himself, and criminalizes anyone who might have footage that could help his reporting – or the police. What is the best way to combat these destructive displays?

1:18 What is a sideshow?

5:02 A jail sentence and fine for watching the show

7:33 How to reduce sideshows?

8:22 The lawsuit

11:55 How to report on the issue without violating the statute?

13:55 Cost to the community

20:59 Infrastructure as policy

30:26 #WWCA