WILTON MANORS, Fla. – An illegal street takeover was caught on camera in Wilton Manors.
Drivers were seen doing donuts just after 12:30 a.m. Friday at a busy intersection along Wilton Drive and Northeast 20th Street.
It went on for about seven minutes as some of the spinning cars came very close to hitting the people who were in the road filming it.
They left the intersection pretty marked up and also left a lot of people concerned about the safety of the pedestrians who frequent the area.
“There are tons of people, they’re running, the cars are squealing, and everyone is trying to record with their phone, like trying to record from different angles, I guess,” said witness Anthony Arias, who filmed the incident from his home. “I wake up and I’m in the middle of a Drake music video. Things are going crazy outside, tires squealing.”
Eventually a Wilton Manors police officer moved in with their lights flashing.
The takeover continued for a few seconds, even with the cop right there.
Finally, the cars drove off.
“People are angry, and rightfully so, because somebody could have died if you were in the wrong place at the wrong time,” said Arias.
Wilton Manors police released a statement which read, in part:
“Last night our community was the victim of an illegal street takeover, a crime that’s been on the rise…out police officers swiftly responded prior to receiving the first 9-1-1 calls. Our officers intervened and caused the subjects to flee. Our investigations continue.”
The state of Florida recently increased penalties for street takeovers like this, and if it’s determined to be a large, coordinated event, fines could be as high as $2,000.
“We don’t watch the Fast and the Furious, I’m trying to listen to the Wicked soundtrack, living my best life, and I don’t want to worry about a Nissan Altima knocking me out while I’m playing Beyonce walking down the street,” said Arias.