Mayor Lurie and Assemblymember Stefani Announce Legislation to Continue Crackdown on Sideshows

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today announced legislation in partnership with Assemblymember Catherine Stefani to combat sideshows and street takeovers—dangerous and reckless activities that put San Franciscans at risk and are a threat to public safety. The legislation will strengthen tools for law enforcement to crack down on sideshows and street takeovers and hold those responsible accountable.  
The legislation builds on Mayor Lurie’s work to crack down on dangerous sideshows and keep San Franciscans safe. In December, Mayor Lurie signed legislation introduced by District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter to double fines for misdemeanor sideshow offenses. Mayor Lurie has taken action to deliver clean and safe streets in neighborhoods across the city, and after his first year in office, crime is down citywide nearly 30%. 
“San Franciscans deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods, to walk their streets without fear, and to know their city is willing to act. This legislation is about safety. It's about holding bad actors accountable. And it’s about making sure our streets belong to the people—not to reckless behavior that puts lives at risk,” said Mayor Lurie. “We are sending a clear message: dangerous sideshows have no place in San Francisco, and we will continue using every tool available to stop them.” 
“Sideshows have turned our streets into dangerous takeover zones, putting residents, first responders, and spectators at serious risk. AB 1588 gives law enforcement the tools they need, establishes meaningful consequences, and creates real deterrence so this dangerous behavior is no longer tolerated,” said Assemblymember Stefani. “Thank you to Mayor Lurie and the San Francisco Police Department for their partnership in putting public safety first.” 
Authored by Assemblymember Stefani and sponsored by Mayor Daniel Lurie, Assembly Bill 1588 would strengthen enforcement by giving law enforcement more authority to act and increase accountability for repeat offenders. The legislation will help combat sideshows by:  

• Adding motorbikes and dirt bikes to be treated as sideshow penalties, closing enforcement gaps when unlicensed and unplated dirtbikes are used to perform dangerous stunts or block city streets
• Making serious bodily injury caused by a driver in a sideshow felony-eligible
• Authorizing progressive consequences for repeat sideshow offenders by strengthening impoundment penalties 

“Illegal sideshows are dangerous, and they are unacceptable in San Francisco,” said San Francisco Police Department Chief Derrick Lew. “Our officers work diligently to disrupt sideshow activity when it occurs and follow up on investigations to impound vehicles and hold perpetrators accountable. I want to thank Mayor Daniel Lurie and Assemblymember Catherine Stefani for their work to give officers more tools to combat sideshows.” 
“In dense neighborhoods like Chinatown and North Beach, sideshows don’t just block streets, they also put residents, small businesses, and first responders at risk,” said Supervisor Sauter. “AB 1588 helps close enforcement gaps and gives the city stronger tools to hold repeat offenders accountable and protect our communities.” 
Although California and San Francisco have taken steps to respond to more organized sideshow events, enforcement tools have not kept pace with how organized sideshow events operate. AB 1588 seeks to close the gap by updating state law to reflect current realities and bring consistency to enforcement by reducing ambiguity and strengthening the ability to hold repeat offenders accountable.