Takeovers hit streets of Compton overnight
A growing trend continued to plague the streets of Compton overnight, as hundreds of spectators and dozens of vehicles flooded intersections for illegal street takeovers.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Compton station, there were several takeovers in multiple locations, including at Central Avenue and Caldwell Street.
Footage from the scene showed much of the same -- dangerous driving that included doughnuts and burnouts with spectators standing in the middle of the intersection, fireworks and laser pointers and blocked traffic.
Authorities also disclosed that despite initial reports of a beating, which left one man lying unconscious in the street, they did not learn of any such incident or any injuries resulting from the incidents.
They continued to note that deputies and Los Angeles Police Department officers were able to break up several takeovers before they were able to begin.
No arrests were made at any of the locations.
But for residents like Bernard Webster, who lives near the West Caldwell and South Central Avenue intersection, the street takeovers are becoming a major inconvenience and hazard for local residents. He told CBSLA Reporter Rina Nakano that street takeovers happen several times a week.
Usually, these street takeovers are surrounded by hundreds of people, car exhausts and the smell of burnt rubber.
But on Sunday evening, Webster said he heard something different.
"People's lives are in jeopardy because cars do get out of control because people are out there, and they're doing fireworks as well," Webster said.
Another witness, who wished to remain anonymous, told Nakano that she also saw the fireworks go off.
The woman said that she and her family were off to dinner when their trip was delayed thanks to the street takeover.
"We were all young once and I understand but it is very dangerous," she said. "I would say they should double think everything because life can be gone in an instant."
