1 year ago
31
Downtown Birmingham resident moves because street racing keeps them up at night
YES, GUY SHERRI HERE IN THIS PARKING LOT, YOU CAN SEE TIRE MARKS LEFT BEHIND OF EXHIBITION DRIVING AND EVEN RUBBER FROM THOSE TIRES. NOW, THE ONLY REASON WHY WE KNOW IT’S HAPPENING IN THIS PARKING LOT IS BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THIS HIGH RISE BUILDING HAVE A VIEW OF IT ALL HAPPENING EVERY WEEKEND AT NIGHT. AROUND 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND AFTER 1130 AT NIGHT, PEOPLE LIVING NEAR FIFTH AVENUE SOUTH WERE UP RECORDING THIS BECAUSE THEY COULDN’T SLEEP WATCHING WHAT YOU CAN HEAR, THE LOUD CARS SPEEDING OFF. AND SEE PEOPLE HANGING OUT OF THE WINDOW BECAUSE THIS ISN’T JUST OUR LITTLE BLOCK IN OUR BUILDING. THEY’RE RACING ALL AROUND DOWNTOWN. JESSICA PATTERSON HAS HAD ENOUGH AFTER 18 MONTHS. SHE’S MOVING OUT OF HER APARTMENT TODAY. IT WAS REALLY WHEN MY MY FRIEND’S NEIGHBOR’S DOG WAS HIT. AND I ALSO HAVE A PET AND SO WE’RE OUT HERE WALKING. SHE’S ALSO AFRAID SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT OR WORSE, DIE. AND THEY’RE TRYING TO ATTRACT PEOPLE DOWN HERE TO DOWNTOWN. AND THIS IS JUST SOMETHING WHERE I FEEL LIKE NOBODY’S GOING TO WANT TO COME DOWN HERE, YOU KNOW? AND THAT MAKES ME SAD, RIGHT NOW, POLICE CAN GIVE CITATIONS FOR RECKLESS DRIVING, WHICH IS A MISDEMEANOR, BUT HOW ARE THEY GOING TO STOP 40 CARS? I MEAN, IT SOUNDS LIKE AN EXAGGERATION, BUT I STOOD UP ON MY BALCONY AT THREE IN THE MORNING AND COUNTED TOMORROW MARKS TWO MONTHS SINCE GOVERNOR IVEY SIGNED THE EXHIBITION DRIVING LAW. THIS MEANS PEOPLE CAUGHT WILL BE ARRESTED. HAVE THEIR LICENSES REVOKED, CAR IMPOUNDED, FACE JAIL TIME AND SLAPPED WITH MORE SERIOUS CHARGES LIKE A FELONY, ESPECIALLY IF SOMEONE GETS HURT. THE BILL DOESN’T GO INTO EFFECT UNTIL AUGUST FIRST, THOUGH. WHEN THAT TIME COMES, PATTERSON SAYS THIS. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE A PRIORITY FOR THE POLICE FORCE BECAUSE I REALLY FEEL LIKE IT IMPACTS SO MANY PEOPLE. AND I GOT A CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN TREADAWAY TODAY OVER THE PHONE. AND HE HAD A HAD A HAND IN WRITING THE EXHIBITION DRIVING BILL. AND HE TELLS ME WHILE WE WAIT FOR AUGUST 1ST TO COME, HE SAYS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ACROSS THE STATE AND COURT SYSTEM SHOULD BE FAMILIARIZING THEMSELVES WITH THIS LAW. WE’RE LIV
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Downtown Birmingham resident moves because street racing keeps them up at night
Around the Fourth of July weekend after 11:30 at night, people living near 5th Avenue South were up recording a video from their balcony because they couldn't sleep. In the video, you can hear the loud cars speeding off and see people hanging out of the window.“This isn't just our little block or building. They're racing all downtown,” said Jessica Patterson, a downtown resident.Jessica Patterson has had enough. After 18 months, she's moving out of her apartment."It was really when my neighbor's dog was hit. I also have a pet, and we're out here walking,” Patterson said.She's also afraid someone is going to get hurt or, worse, die.“They're trying to attract people down here to downtown, and it's something where I feel like nobody is going to want to come down here. That makes me sad,” Patterson said.Right now, police can give citations for reckless driving, which is a misdemeanor.“How are they going to stop 40 cars? I mean, it sounds like an exaggeration, but I've been up on my balcony at 3 in the morning and counted,” Patterson said.Wednesday, July 12, marks two months since Gov. Kay Ivey signed the exhibition driving bill into law. This means people caught will be arrested, have their licenses revoked, car impounded, face jail time and slapped with more serious charges like a felony — especially if someone gets hurt.The bill doesn't go into effect until Aug. 1, though. When that time comes, Patterson says, "I would like this to be a priority for the police force because I feel like it impacts so many people."
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —
Around 4th of July weekend after 11:30 at night, people living near 5th Avenue South were up recording a video from their balcony because they couldn't sleep.
In the video you can hear the loud cars speeding off and see people hanging out of the window.
“This isn't just our little block or building. They're racing all downtown,” Jessica Patterson, downtown resident said.
Jessica Patterson has had enough. After 18 months she's moving out of her apartment.
"It was really when my neighbor's dog was hit. I also have a pet and we're out here walking,” Patterson said.
She's also afraid someone is going to get hurt or worse die.
“They're trying to attract people down here to downtown and it's something where I feel like nobody is going to want to come down here. That makes me sad,” Patterson said.
Right now police can give citations for reckless driving which is a misdemeanor.
“How are they going to stop 40 cars. I mean it sounds like an exaggeration, but I've been up on my balcony at 3 in the morning and counted,” Patterson said.
Wednesday July 12th marks two months since Governor Kay Ivey signed the exhibition driving bill into law.
This means people caught--- will be arrested, have their licenses revoked, car impounded, face jail time and slapped with more serious charges like a felony--- especially if someone gets hurt.
The bill doesn't go into effect until august first though.
When that time comes Patterson says this, "I would like this to be a priority for the police force because I feel like it impacts so many people."
English (US)