Earlier today Lubbock Police shut down part of 58th Street after street racing turned into a car wreck Tuesday morning. It happened after one of the cars turned and crashed into the other car.
But street racing wasn’t the only crime committed that morning. One of the cars was reported as stolen. Now, Lubbock Police are cracking down on both crimes as summer continues.
This is the second street racing accident that has resulted in serious injuries this month. LPD has worked on patrolling street racing but haven’t been able to control it so far.
“The challenge that we see though is that by the time the officers are able to get out there, our officers can’t locate anyone,” said Lubbock Police Department spokesperson Tiffany Pelt.
LPD will soon be using a new fleet of Mustangs to enforce traffic and speeding laws.
“One thing that we’re starting is a new traffic enforcement unit with the new mustangs,” Pelt said. “We’re hoping to get them up and running by the end of summer.”
She says that they will work like police motorcycles and focus on traffic violations.
“They’re there for traffic enforcement to try to deter speeders,” Pelt said. “That’s what the new unit will be doing as well. So street racing and speeding and other traffic violations, that’s something they are trying to tackle and really make a dent here in Lubbock.”
Stolen vehicle crime has also been increasing. Police say about 100 cars are stolen each month.
And in the county, 180 to 215 cars can be stolen each month, according to the South Plains Auto Theft Task Force.
LPD has added two new street crime units recently to stop auto thefts from happening.
But there are things Lubbock residents can do to prevent their cars from being stolen. The South Plains Auto Theft Task Force recommends parking cars in well lit areas and remove any valuables from inside the car.
“A lot of people are just walking up and down streets in neighborhoods, employment places, things like that and all they’re doing is checking the doors looking for something unlocked,” said Auto Theft Task Force analyst Mandy Myers.
Street racing is usually considered a misdemeanor but can become a second degree felony if any serious injuries occur.
