Community in Kansas City Faces Dangerous Sideshows
Kansas City, Mo. has become familiar with the sound of revving engines and the squeal of tires late at night. These sounds, once just a nuisance, have become a troubling reality for many neighborhoods, bringing along bright headlights and smoke-filled skies that can linger long into the early morning. Locals have affectionately labeled this new trend with terms like sideshows, takeovers, and slides.
What’s Going On?
These impromptu car events frequently occur around midnight, often at popular intersections like Martin Luther King Boulevard and Eastwood Trafficway. Videos of these gatherings pour onto social media platforms like Instagram, showcasing not only the cars, but sometimes alarming scenes involving weapons. Cheerful crowds quickly shift into frightened spectators as the chaos unfolds. This was the experience of Taryn Kelly, who ventured out on August 19, 2024. As she witnessed a sideshow break out in her neighborhood, she felt the urge to act.
A Frustrating Call for Help
Taryn took to Facebook, tagging the mayor in a post expressing her concern. She picked up her phone and called 911, once, twice, waiting for the reassurance of a voice on the other end. But instead of quick assistance, she found herself listening to a monotonous hold tone for over a minute the first time, and for over four minutes on the second call. “What’s going on?” she remembers thinking. “Why is it taking so long for someone to answer this?”
As the sideshow continued to escalate with an increasing crowd, vehicles, and the sight of weapons, Taryn’s unease grew. The police finally responded, but not in the way she had hoped. She watched as one police car rolled up, blaring its horn, making the crowd scatter; yet, the officer remained in their vehicle. “I don’t blame them,” Kelly later said, recognizing the difficult situation. After all, one officer against a crowd of 50 or more is daunting.
Police Response Time
After the chaos had settled, police confirmed to Taryn that a total of seven units and nine officers responded, but the first officer didn’t arrive until 19 minutes after her call. It would take a staggering hour and 26 minutes to gather all the officers at the scene. While four spectators were cited for municipal violations, no car drivers faced arrest. Taryn couldn’t help but feel defeated, thinking, “It happens at least once to twice a month. Everyone disperses, runs. Nothing ever gets done.”
A Dangerous Situation
Residents aren’t just fed up with the noise; they’re genuinely concerned about their safety. At one of these gatherings, a young spectator was even run over and taken to the hospital. “They literally ran over his head, and his shoe fell off,” exclaimed a witness. Taryn believes this alarming behavior is a sign that something has to change. “I’d like to see some action,” she said, pointing out the motivations behind tagging the mayor.
City’s Reaction
The mayor, when approached about Kelly’s experience and the issues surrounding sideshows, expressed concern, shaking his head in frustration over the lengthy hold times for emergency calls. “If this part of the system doesn’t work, then everything else collapses,” he contended. The mayor emphasized the importance of responding to emergencies swiftly so that neighborhoods can feel safe once more.
Increasing Fines and Ongoing Efforts
In response to the troubling trend, Kansas City recently upped the fines for those involved in or attending these municipal violations. While the police have publicly acknowledged the dangers associated with shutting down these events, they also made it clear that they are committed to maintaining peace—and safety. Just a few weeks after Taryn’s call, the police released images of their work busting sideshows over a recent weekend, which included the recovery of weapons and arrests.
Moving Forward
As Kansas City navigates the troubling shift towards these late-night events, community members, police, and city leaders must engage in an open dialogue. With both residents and law enforcement worried about safety, finding effective solutions is crucial. As the mayor aptly put it, “The streets belong to all of it, and we will continue the work.”
