TEMPE, Ariz. — Tempe police arrested 15 people, towed 14 vehicles and seized two guns during an operation last week to crack down on street racing.
According to the Tempe Police Department, dozens to hundreds of street racers are on the roads in the Valley each night. The department has teams up with the Phoenix Police Department Street Racing Task Force to address the issue.
“As the Tempe Police Chief, I am committed to addressing the issue of street racing and its associated crimes. We will take proactive measures, collaborate with local agencies, and employ innovative strategies to effectively combat this dangerous activity,” Tempe Police Chief Kenneth McCoy said in a news release.
The number of high-speed drivers is one of Tempe residents’ top concerns, according to a recent ZenCity Blockwise report, ranking just below homelessness issues and drugs, according to the news release from the City of Tempe.
In 2023, the Tempe Police Department issued 259 citations that involved racing, speeds of more than 85 mph, reckless driving and speeds more than 20 miles an hour over the speed limit, according to the news release. A three-month program called "Operation Slow Down" started in January and targets speeding and red-light violations.
“Everyone deserves to get home safely,” Tempe Mayor Corey Woods said in a news release. “We are using all the resources available to us to make our streets safer for everyone.”
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