October 31st 2024.
In a press conference on Thursday afternoon, officials in San Jose made a major announcement regarding their efforts to crack down on sideshows. They revealed that they had successfully used the city's "promoter ordinance" to arrest seven individuals who were responsible for promoting and hosting over 20 illegal street events.
According to the authorities, these individuals were part of a group known as the Hockey Team and had been organizing sideshows in the South Bay area. The charges against them include felony conspiracy to violate the promoter ordinance and one person is also suspected of being involved in a theft that occurred during a sideshow.
Of the seven suspects arrested, five are residents of San Jose and two are from Oakland. The police also have warrants for two more suspects from Sunnyvale and Salinas. San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph commended the city for being a model in handling the sideshow problem and stated that participating, promoting, or even watching a sideshow is illegal and will result in arrests and vehicle seizures.
Chief Joseph also mentioned that this was the largest enforcement effort so far under the ordinances passed in 2020 and 2021, which aimed to crack down on sideshow activities. These laws prohibit activities such as spectating, promoting, encouraging, and assisting in sideshows, as well as reckless driving in San Jose.
The operation, known as "Penalty Box," lasted for 28 months and monitored at least 23 major sideshows that were advertised by the Hockey Team. Chief Joseph revealed that these sideshows would attract hundreds of people and cause traffic disruptions at multiple intersections for hours at a time.
One of the challenges faced by law enforcement during this investigation was the careful planning of the sideshow organizers. Chief Joseph explained that only a few individuals would share information about the events, making it difficult for the authorities to prevent them from happening.
During the investigation, police also noted instances of sideshow participants attacking police vehicles, discharging firearms, pointing lasers at officers, and causing injuries to pedestrians and police officers. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan expressed his gratitude to the police and cautioned the public against participating in or attending sideshows, warning them of the consequences that include losing their cars, paying penalties, and even facing jail time.
Chief Assistant District Attorney Jay Boyarsky announced that some of the suspects were arraigned on Wednesday, and more arraignments will occur in the future. He also stated that the defendants could face up to six years in state prison for their actions.
Amaan Hinif Cruz, a San Jose State student, commented on the situation, acknowledging the danger of sideshows and expressing hope that they could be made safer if there was a way to perform stunts legally under police supervision. They also understood the city's efforts to crack down on these illegal events.
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