News Summary
Kansas City is grappling with an alarming increase in dangerous sideshow activities disrupting local streets, especially in the Crossroads area. These chaotic incidents, often seen during events like First Fridays, involve ATV drivers recklessly driving on sidewalks and endangering pedestrians. Local business owners express concerns over safety, while city officials acknowledge the challenges of enforcing laws. Recent reports highlight frustrations over police response times, as sideshows persist monthly, despite ordinances aimed at curbing them. The city is exploring further safety measures to protect residents and visitors.
Kansas City is facing growing concerns as businesses and residents report a surge in dangerous sideshow activities that are disrupting local streets, particularly in the popular Crossroads area. These incidents have escalated during special events like First Fridays, during which ATV drivers have been seen driving on sidewalks and allegedly harassing pedestrians.
Reports indicate that tire track marks have appeared on sidewalks near the streetcar stop, indicating recent sideshow activity. Local business owners, including David Epstein of Tom’s Town Distilling, are expressing alarm over the safety risks and chaotic atmosphere resulting from these incidents. Epstein has highlighted that increased penalties and fines for sideshow participants have yet to effectively reduce such activities, which he observes have led to a noticeable decline in safety and vibrancy in the Crossroads district over the past decade.
City officials and the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) are aware of the ongoing sideshow incidents and are actively working to address the issue. According to reports, KCPD has been dispatching officers to the Crossroads district during busy nights, yet managing the crowds during sideshows presents challenges to effective law enforcement.
Residents like Taryn Kelly have reported experiencing frustration when attempting to report these dangerous activities. Following one such incident that she witnessed, where vehicles were revving engines and causing chaos, she experienced a wait time of at least 19 minutes for police assistance. Such delays in response times raise concerns about the efficacy of emergency services in tackling sideshow activity.
In Kansas City, sideshows are noted to occur at least once or twice a month in various locations. Incidents have become dangerous, with reports of spectators being hit by vehicles resulting in injuries. In response to the escalating concerns, Kansas City recently passed ordinances aimed at increasing penalties for both participants and spectators of illegal sideshows.
To further deter sideshow activities, the city has installed rumble strips at 37 different intersections. While these measures have reportedly reduced the frequency of sideshow occurrences in some areas, there has been a noted shift of illegal activities to different parts of the city. Residents have expressed that although sideshows have decreased, other forms of reckless driving continue to pose a threat.
A spokesperson from the police department indicated that there has been a decrease in illegal street racing and sideshow incidents since the implementation of new strategies and enforcement efforts. However, community members are still urged to report any illegal sideshow activities they witness.
Authorities are looking into long-term safety solutions, including potential road redesigns, to further enhance traffic safety throughout the city. These initiatives are part of an ongoing effort to ensure the safety and enjoyment of Kansas City’s streets by both residents and visitors alike.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Kansas City Council Proposes New Road Safety Ordinance
Additional Resources
- KCTV5: Kansas City’s Sideshow Problem
- Wikipedia: Stunt Riding
- KMBC: Legal Sideshows in Kansas City
- Google Search: Sideshow Legalization Kansas City
- KSHB: Decrease in Illegal Sideshows
- Google Scholar: Illegal Sideshows Kansas City
- FOX4: New Tow Fees for Sideshows
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Street Racing
- KMBC: Raising Funds for Legal Sideshows
- Google News: Sideshow Kansas City
