By Kana McNiff
Sideshows are essentially car-stunt shows where people gather to watch cars drift around vacant streets, the sound of brakes squealing and the smell of tires burning are hard to miss. Because of the dangerous nature of these events, they are illegal and California law enforcement is trying to crack down on individuals who participate in them.
This last Sunday (February 25th, 2024), a Vallejo 7-Eleven was looted, a man was assaulted, and a pickup truck was set on fire during a sideshow. The man who was assaulted ran into a nearby 7-Eleven to seek shelter from a group of attackers. The 7-Eleven he ran into was then looted and he was attacked again. The assailants are believed to have stolen beer, chips, lottery tickets, and even cash from the register. Police responded to reports of an assault and the man was found shot. The pickup truck that was set on fire is believed to belong to the man who was assaulted.
In recent years, Vallejo locals have reported an increase in violent and dangerous activity during these sideshows. Justin Hornstein, a Vallejo resident, reported that in the past 3 or 4 years, the amount of criminal activity in Vallejo has increased significantly. “We need more cops here, badly”, claims Hornstein. “It’s lawless here. I mean it’s terrible. You can’t go anywhere without something happening.”
The Vallejo Police Department sent out a special thanks to Napa and Solano County sheriff departments who responded to the scene on Sunday night. Many Vallejo locals hope that the Vallejo PD will be able to bring down crime rates in the area.
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