Massive weekend sideshows leave North Oakland residents spinning

A significant sideshow event on August 24 in North Oakland involved over 500 participants and approximately 200 cars, resulting in widespread disruption and safety concerns among residents. Eyewitness accounts detailed reckless behavior, including people walking near spinning cars and illegal parking, culminating in a vehicle fire captured on video. The Oakland Police Department reported deploying only 16 vehicles to manage the situation, a frustrating limitation given the scale of the event. Residents noted that police arrived about 30 minutes after the sideshow began, which allowed participants to flee and regroup. The Market Street and 45th Street intersection is known for frequent sideshow activity, with 712 complaints filed over four years.

This event has prompted residents to call for increased police presence and better community safety measures. The OPD has committed to increasing resources in response to sideshows and impaired driving incidents. Ensuring community safety remains a pressing issue as authorities seek to address the ongoing challenge of illegal sideshows.