Prince George's County cracks down on street takeovers, targets spectators too

The Prince George’s County Council voted unanimously on May 5 to make illegal street takeovers riskier for everyone who shows up, not just the drivers. Under CB-12, people who knowingly attend, watch, organize or participate in takeover events, car rallies and high-speed races can face fines and jail time.

The measure, introduced by Councilmember Wanika Fisher, sets a first-offense fine at $1,000. A second offense carries a $2,000 fine, and repeat violations can bring fines up to $3,000 plus possible jail time. County officials said the law will take effect after a 45-day period to prepare enforcement measures, a window that will determine how police and prosecutors handle spectators, organizers and repeat offenders.

The crackdown comes after a steady stream of takeover complaints across Prince George’s County and the wider Washington, D.C. area. Police said they had investigated more than 20 illegal street races and takeovers since January, while FOX 5 reported officers had responded to roughly 40 street takeovers since the start of the year. Local reporting has said some of the gatherings drew hundreds of spectators, turning parking lots and roadways into temporary crowds that blocked traffic and strained police response.

County officials have tied the events to real harm, not just noise and nuisance. Police said takeover-related incidents have included serious injuries, including one woman who required a medevac. In street-racing crackdowns, officers recovered 15 firearms and illegal drugs, underscoring why the council paired the spectator ban with stiffer penalties for the people behind the wheel. A February takeover began in Prince George’s County and spilled into Montgomery County, where arrests followed. In September 2025, an 18-year-old driver was accused of hitting a woman during a takeover in Landover, an episode that sharpened concern over how quickly the events can turn violent.

Major David Hansen has said the bill gives police the support they need to stop illegal street racing, including cases involving firearms, drugs and stolen vehicles. County officials have also been working with the Maryland Car Rally Task Force as takeovers keep moving from one corridor to another, forcing Prince George’s County to treat the problem as both a public-safety threat and a quality-of-life issue for neighborhoods and business areas caught in the middle.