Long Beach Municipal Code Ch. 10.82 Spectators Prohibited at Street Races, Sideshows, and Reckless Driving…

The definitions in this Section apply to the following terms as used in this Chapter:

A. "Street race" or "street racing" means any motor vehicle speed contest or motor vehicle exhibition of speed referred to in subdivisions (a) and (c) of California Vehicle Code Section 23109, as may be amended from time to time.

B. "Sideshow" means an event in which two or more persons block or impede traffic on a highway for the purpose of performing motor vehicle stunts, street racing, or reckless driving for spectators referred to in subdivision (i)(2)(A) of California Vehicle Code Section 23109, as may be amended from time to time.

C. "Reckless driving exhibition" means any exhibition of reckless driving referred to in California Vehicle Code section 23103, as it may be amended from time to time.

D. "Offstreet parking facility" has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (c) of California Vehicle Code section 12500, as it may be amended from time to time, and includes any public or private parking facility open and accessible to members of the public.

E. "Spectator" means any person who is present at a street race or reckless driving exhibition, or the site of the preparations for either of these activities, for the purpose of viewing, observing, watching, or witnessing the event as it progresses. A spectator includes any person at the location of the event without regard to the means by which the person arrived.

F. A person is "present" at a street race or reckless driving exhibition if that person is within two hundred (200) feet of the location of the street race or reckless driving exhibition, or within two hundred (200) feet of the site of the preparations for either of these activities.

G. "News reporter" means a person who is connected with or employed by any news service, online news service, newspaper, other periodical publication, or radio or television station or network, and who is present at a street race or reckless driving exhibition while gathering, receiving, or processing information for communication to the public in or on behalf of said employer.

H. "Scene" means the site or location of a street race, sideshow, or reckless driving exhibition or the site or location of the preparations for a street race or reckless driving exhibition. The scene includes the path or course of the street race or reckless driving exhibition.

I. "Preparations" for any street race, sideshow, or reckless driving exhibition include, but are not limited to, any of the following acts done for the purpose of a street race, sideshow, or reckless driving exhibition:

1. One (1) or more motor vehicles and persons have arrived at a predetermined location on a public street or highway or in an offstreet parking facility;

2. One (1) or more persons have gathered on, or adjacent to, a public street or highway;

3. One (1) or more persons have gathered in an offstreet parking facility;

4. One (1) or more persons have gathered for a sideshow, motorcycle stunting or other exhibition in conjunction with a street race or reckless driving exhibition;

5. One (1) or more persons have impeded the public use of a public street, highway, or offstreet parking facility by acts, words or physical barriers;

6. One (1) or more motor vehicles have lined up on a public street, highway, or offstreet parking facility with motors running;

7. One (1) or more drivers is revving a motor vehicle's engine or causing the motor vehicle's tires to spin; or

8. A person is standing or sitting in a location for the purpose of acting as a race starter.

(ORD-26-0005 § 1, 2026; ORD-22-0008 § 1, 2022)

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to be knowingly present as a spectator at a street race, sideshow, or reckless driving exhibition conducted on a public street or highway or in an offstreet parking facility.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to be knowingly present as a spectator where preparations are being made for a street race, sideshow, or reckless driving exhibition conducted on a public street or highway or in an offstreet parking facility.

C. Nothing in this section prohibits peace officers or their agents who are acting in the course of their official duties from being spectators at a street race, sideshow, or reckless driving exhibition and/or spectators at the location of preparations for any of these activities.

D. This section does not prohibit news reporters from being spectators at a street race, sideshow, or reckless driving exhibition and/or spectators at the location of preparations for any of these activities while they are engaged in the gathering of information for purposes of disseminating it to the public.

(ORD-26-0005 § 1, 2026; ORD-22-0008 § 1, 2022)

A. A violation of this Chapter may be punishable as a misdemeanor or an infraction at the discretion of the City Prosecutor.

B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, to prove a violation of Section 10.82.020 of this Chapter, admissible evidence may include, but is not limited to, any of the following:

1. That the person charged has previously participated in or been a spectator at a street race, sideshow, or reckless driving exhibition;

2. That the person charged has previously aided and abetted street racing, sideshow, or a reckless driving exhibition;

3. That the person charged has previously attended a street race, sideshow, or reckless driving exhibition; or

4. That the person charged was previously present at a location where preparations were being made for a street race, sideshow, or reckless driving exhibition, or where a street race or reckless driving exhibition was in progress;

5. To the fullest extent permissible by law, evidence of prior act(s) may be admissible to show the plan, opportunity, intent, knowledge, identity and/or propensity of the person charged to be present at a street race, sideshow, or a reckless driving exhibition if the prior act(s) occurred within three (3) years of the presently charged offense. The prior act(s) may also be admissible to show that, in the absence of a mistake or accident, the person charged had knowledge that a street race, sideshow, or reckless driving exhibition was taking place.

C. In addition to the circumstances set out in subsection B of this Section, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, to prove a violation of this Chapter, admissible evidence may also include, but is not limited to, any of the following:

1. The time of day;

2. The nature and description of the scene, including the number and configuration of traffic lanes;

3. The number of people at the scene;

4. The location of the person charged in relation to any person or group of persons present at the scene;

5. The number and types of motor vehicles at the scene;

6. That the motor vehicles at the scene have been modified or altered to increase power, handling, or visual appeal;

7. That the person charged drove or was transported to the scene; or

8. That the person charged admitted to being a spectator at a street race, sideshow, or reckless driving exhibition.

(ORD-26-0005 § 1, 2026; ORD-22-0008 § 1, 2022)