‘Getting out of hand’: Sideshow crackdown sees stricter penalties
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Sideshow participants and illegal street racers will now be faced with heftier fines.
On Wednesday, city officials, in partnership with the Kansas City Police Department, finalized fines, which was part of an ordinance ed in September.
Cars involved in the illegal sideshows and street races will be subject to the following fees:
- First offense: $500
- Second offense: $750
- Third offense: $1,000
“These things are kind of getting out of hand,” said Thomas Gunion, who used to attend sideshows.
“At first it was cool,” Gunion said. “I like seeing the cars spin. It seems fun because all the younger people are out there just watching it.”
But Gunion said he quickly realized how dangerous they can be.
“You see someone get hit and fly across the street or you see someone pull out a gun,” Gunion said. “Some people might start shooting, and I’m like, why am I going to these things?”
Gunion believes these increased fines will eventually help slow things down.
“I don’t think it will initially stop people from doing what they want to do until it happens to them, that’s just how people learn,” Gunion said. “I think maybe there’s going to be more people thinking about it, but until they get hit with the consequences, they aren’t going to learn.”
Captain Jake Becchina with KD said heading into warmer months is when they start to see this kind of activity. He’s optimistic about these fines.
“We’ve taken several steps to up our enforcement,” Becchina said. “We would love if in these circles people talk about ‘let’s not go to Kansas City, it’s too dangerous, it’s going to be too big of a hassle, we don’t want to get caught up in it.’”
Spectators within 200 feet of illegal activity are also subject to the penalties.
Copyright 2025 KCTV. All rights reserved.
