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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors has accepted a donation of land and money for a new Clearlake Oaks park.
In an unanimous vote, the Board of Supervisors approved a donation of 620 acres along East Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks and an as-yet unspecified amount of funds from the John T. Klaus 1994 Trust.
The process of bringing the final donation to the board has taken a few years.
The board received an initial report on the donation from Public Services Director Lars Ewing at its July 7, 2020 meeting and had been scheduled to consider approving the resolution to accept the park property and funds at its meeting on Feb. 9, 2021, however, the item was pulled.
County Counsel Anita Grant told the board on Tuesday that the delay was due, in part, to the previous attorney for the trust having died.
A new attorney had to come in “and essentially begin again in order to ensure that the terms of the trust and the expenditures of money were all scrupulously adhered to,” Grant said.
Ewing told the board in July 2020 that the trustee at that point had reported assets including bank accounts totaling approximately $1.5 million, appraisal values of properties owned by the trust and not yet sold amounting to approximately $650,000, and recurring annual lease income of approximately $127,000 from a property in Livermore that has been leased to an oil change business for more than 20 years.
Staff didn’t report new totals for those assets, although Grant’s written report for Tuesday’s meeting noted the sale of the additional properties had resulted in “considerable proceeds.”
The resolution to accept the donation has conditions including that the property be named “John T. Klaus Park,” with one-third of the land on the rear of the property to be reserved as a refuge for wildlife and the rest of the park to be developed for sporting and athletic activities for youth.
The document also agrees to begin initiating the transfer of sale proceeds from various accounts into a county account established solely for the receipt of the monies, Grant said.
She said the attorney for the trustee is preparing for a final accounting that will be filed in court, with all the details becoming known as the attorney’s work steadily progresses.
Grant said the only issue before the board on Tuesday was whether to formally accept the donation and then to move forward again to initiate the process of transfer pursuant to the terms of the trust.
Ewing said he’d previously received direction from the board to develop a business plan for the park. However, because it would be a county park, Ewing said he felt it was premature to develop a management plan without getting public input first.
He said he’s been out to the property a number of times with the trustee. The county has received a quote for the needed cleanup on the land.
“I think it's an opportunity that doesn't come along very often,” Ewing said, comparing it with the Mount Konocti Park that the county purchased. That park didn’t come with any money, while this project has both property and funding.
Supervisor Bruno Sabatier said he was thankful to Klaus for wanting to leave a positive legacy behind him.
“I do have some concerns and those concerns I think can easily be taken care of with a management plan, a fiscal plan,” said Sabatier, who wanted to know the cost of managing the property. Even if it’s left in its natural state, there will be a need for fire mitigation.
Clearlake Oaks residents Holly Harris and Chuck Lamb submitted a letter to the board supporting approval of the resolution.
“This particular piece of property is very scenic, and is the ‘gateway’ to Clearlake Oaks and the Lake County north shore, when headed west. The ability to have 620 acres preserved for outdoor activities and wildlife refuge — along with Mr. Klaus' donation of funding sources — will ensure that the property can be enjoyed by many,” they wrote.
The Clear Lake Keys Property Owners Association and Redbud Audubon Society also submitted comments to the county urging acceptance of the property.
The board voted to approve the resolution to accept the park 4-0. Supervisor Moke Simon was absent for the meeting.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
In an unanimous vote, the Board of Supervisors approved a donation of 620 acres along East Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks and an as-yet unspecified amount of funds from the John T. Klaus 1994 Trust.
The process of bringing the final donation to the board has taken a few years.
The board received an initial report on the donation from Public Services Director Lars Ewing at its July 7, 2020 meeting and had been scheduled to consider approving the resolution to accept the park property and funds at its meeting on Feb. 9, 2021, however, the item was pulled.
County Counsel Anita Grant told the board on Tuesday that the delay was due, in part, to the previous attorney for the trust having died.
A new attorney had to come in “and essentially begin again in order to ensure that the terms of the trust and the expenditures of money were all scrupulously adhered to,” Grant said.
Ewing told the board in July 2020 that the trustee at that point had reported assets including bank accounts totaling approximately $1.5 million, appraisal values of properties owned by the trust and not yet sold amounting to approximately $650,000, and recurring annual lease income of approximately $127,000 from a property in Livermore that has been leased to an oil change business for more than 20 years.
Staff didn’t report new totals for those assets, although Grant’s written report for Tuesday’s meeting noted the sale of the additional properties had resulted in “considerable proceeds.”
The resolution to accept the donation has conditions including that the property be named “John T. Klaus Park,” with one-third of the land on the rear of the property to be reserved as a refuge for wildlife and the rest of the park to be developed for sporting and athletic activities for youth.
The document also agrees to begin initiating the transfer of sale proceeds from various accounts into a county account established solely for the receipt of the monies, Grant said.
She said the attorney for the trustee is preparing for a final accounting that will be filed in court, with all the details becoming known as the attorney’s work steadily progresses.
Grant said the only issue before the board on Tuesday was whether to formally accept the donation and then to move forward again to initiate the process of transfer pursuant to the terms of the trust.
Ewing said he’d previously received direction from the board to develop a business plan for the park. However, because it would be a county park, Ewing said he felt it was premature to develop a management plan without getting public input first.
He said he’s been out to the property a number of times with the trustee. The county has received a quote for the needed cleanup on the land.
“I think it's an opportunity that doesn't come along very often,” Ewing said, comparing it with the Mount Konocti Park that the county purchased. That park didn’t come with any money, while this project has both property and funding.
Supervisor Bruno Sabatier said he was thankful to Klaus for wanting to leave a positive legacy behind him.
“I do have some concerns and those concerns I think can easily be taken care of with a management plan, a fiscal plan,” said Sabatier, who wanted to know the cost of managing the property. Even if it’s left in its natural state, there will be a need for fire mitigation.
Clearlake Oaks residents Holly Harris and Chuck Lamb submitted a letter to the board supporting approval of the resolution.
“This particular piece of property is very scenic, and is the ‘gateway’ to Clearlake Oaks and the Lake County north shore, when headed west. The ability to have 620 acres preserved for outdoor activities and wildlife refuge — along with Mr. Klaus' donation of funding sources — will ensure that the property can be enjoyed by many,” they wrote.
The Clear Lake Keys Property Owners Association and Redbud Audubon Society also submitted comments to the county urging acceptance of the property.
The board voted to approve the resolution to accept the park 4-0. Supervisor Moke Simon was absent for the meeting.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Clearlake City Council this week will consider several items of business, including a housing plan and use agreement, financing for a road project and the city treasurer appointment.
The council will meet at 6 p.m. Nov. 3, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
The meeting will be broadcast live on the city's YouTube channel or the Lake County PEGTV YouTube Channel. Community members also can participate via Zoom or can attend in person.
The agenda can be found here.
Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to City Clerk Melissa Swanson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments before 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3.
Each public comment emailed to the city clerk will be read aloud by the mayor or a member of
staff for up to three minutes or will be displayed on a screen. Public comment emails and town hall public comment submissions that are received after the beginning of the meeting will not be included in the record.
On Thursday, the council will meet November’s adoptable dogs and present a certificate of appreciation to Halloween event volunteers.
Under business, the council will consider adopting a resolution authorizing the application and adopting the plan for the Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program and consider an agreement between the city of Clearlake, Lake County Economic Development Corp. and Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce for use of the Clearlake Visitor Center facility.
The council also will discuss providing city financing to complete the 36th Avenue Road and Storm Drainage Construction Project as well as a five-year agreement with Axon Enterprise Inc. for 30 body worn cameras and digital evidence management.
In other business, staff will discuss with the council the possible appointment of a city treasurer.
On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are considered routine in nature and usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants; authorization of road closures for the Dec. 3, 2022, Christmas Parade; award of contracts for HVAC and plumbing on-call and emergency services; authorization of an amendment to the Clearlake Municipal Employees Association memorandum of understanding to modify the uniform voucher program to a uniform; minutes of the August, September and October meetings; continuation of authorization to implement and utilize teleconference accessibility to conduct public meetings pursuant to Assembly Bill 361.
The council also will hold a closed session to discuss property negotiations for 6885 Old Highway 53.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
The council will meet at 6 p.m. Nov. 3, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
The meeting will be broadcast live on the city's YouTube channel or the Lake County PEGTV YouTube Channel. Community members also can participate via Zoom or can attend in person.
The agenda can be found here.
Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to City Clerk Melissa Swanson at
To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments before 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3.
Each public comment emailed to the city clerk will be read aloud by the mayor or a member of
staff for up to three minutes or will be displayed on a screen. Public comment emails and town hall public comment submissions that are received after the beginning of the meeting will not be included in the record.
On Thursday, the council will meet November’s adoptable dogs and present a certificate of appreciation to Halloween event volunteers.
Under business, the council will consider adopting a resolution authorizing the application and adopting the plan for the Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program and consider an agreement between the city of Clearlake, Lake County Economic Development Corp. and Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce for use of the Clearlake Visitor Center facility.
The council also will discuss providing city financing to complete the 36th Avenue Road and Storm Drainage Construction Project as well as a five-year agreement with Axon Enterprise Inc. for 30 body worn cameras and digital evidence management.
In other business, staff will discuss with the council the possible appointment of a city treasurer.
On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are considered routine in nature and usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants; authorization of road closures for the Dec. 3, 2022, Christmas Parade; award of contracts for HVAC and plumbing on-call and emergency services; authorization of an amendment to the Clearlake Municipal Employees Association memorandum of understanding to modify the uniform voucher program to a uniform; minutes of the August, September and October meetings; continuation of authorization to implement and utilize teleconference accessibility to conduct public meetings pursuant to Assembly Bill 361.
The council also will hold a closed session to discuss property negotiations for 6885 Old Highway 53.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
ACCUWEATHER GLOBAL WEATHER CENTER — AccuWeather meteorologists say that a change in the weather pattern is forecast to bring an end to the abnormally dry conditions, starting with this next storm.
Fall started off dry for many in the West, but as the wet season nears, a change in the weather is set to bring rain, mountain snow and cooler conditions.
It's been a rather dry start to autumn across the western U.S. since mid-September. The dry conditions have spread from Seattle, which has received only 2.76 inches of rainfall or about 56% of normal, to Sacramento, California, where only 0.28 of an inch has fallen in the same time, a mere 31% of average.
All of Washington and over 99% of Oregon are experiencing at least 'abnormally dry' conditions according to the United States Drought Monitor's latest update.
Rain is likely in many of the mountain passes until colder air arrives, but any hikers or campers should still be prepared for wet and cold conditions.
"After the initial wave of moisture, the incoming storm will open the door for a lot of colder air to flow into the region, allowing many places to have their lowest temperatures so far this season," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Haley Taylor.
Taylor further explained that temperatures are likely to be 5 to 10 degrees below normal on Tuesday and Wednesday, and major cities like Seattle and Portland may struggle to reach the upper 40s.
Falling snow levels are expected through Wednesday across the western U.S., which will cause rain to change to snow in some of the mountainous terrain.
Snow is likely at and even slightly below pass level in Washington, making for tricky travel for motorists in those areas. Snow will be most widespread as colder air arrives Tuesday night.
Farther south, a period of heavy snow is likely to fall in the northern Sierra Nevada from late Tuesday afternoon to Tuesday night, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk said.
"It is likely to snow hard for several hours by Tuesday evening at Donner Pass, along Interstate 80 in California," Houk explained. "Motorists should expect delays as roads are likely to become slippery and snow-covered for a time."
Snow will continue to spread southward over the Sierra Nevada and linger farther north over the mountain chain into Wednesday.
"If the storm ends up diving far enough south, higher elevations in Southern California may turn cold enough to see their first flurries Wednesday night," Taylor explained.
Whether precipitation falls as rain or snow, the influx of moisture will help to improve the stubborn drought across the region.
Courtney Travis is an AccuWeather senior meteorologist.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A bill passed by the State Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom will align races for district attorneys and sheriffs throughout California with presidential elections.
In so doing, Assembly Bill 759 will temporarily extend the terms of the DAs and sheriffs who have been elected in 2022.
Those officials will get a one-time extension of two years in office, giving them a six-year term, in order to align with the 2028 presidential election cycle.
Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) authored AB 759 in order to move those races from midterm election years, when turnout is lower, to the higher turnout years when United States presidential candidates also share the ballot.
“These are critical countywide elected officials that deal with important life and death matters,” McCarty said in a statement released at the end of September, shortly after Newsom sided several of his bills, including AB 759. “Sheriffs are responsible for operating jails, and DAs for prosecuting criminal violations. These positions should be voted on during elections where there is high turnout — like the presidential election.”
Lake County Registrar of Voters Maria Valadez said that, so far, her office hasn’t received any guidance from the state on the new legislation, but since the bill just passed it’s still early in the process and she expects it eventually.
She said she doesn’t foresee any big changes due to the bill.
“I don’t believe the impact is that big,” Valadez said of her office and its work flow.
They already will have three supervisorial seats on that ballot, she said.
For candidates, Valadez said they will need to be prepared to begin the filing process earlier, in the fall, because they will be on the presidential primary ballot, which is in March, not June, as is in the case in the midterm elections.
Incumbent District Attorney Susan Krones won reelection to her second term in June and Sheriff Brian Martin won a third term without opposition in June.
However, last week, Martin announced that he will retire on Dec. 30, just days short of his second term, as Lake County News has reported.
He said he had planned to retire in the upcoming term, but the bill and how it would impact an appointee led him to making the decision earlier.
“This change in law really changed the dynamics of what that would look like for the county,” he said of the process to appoint a new sheriff, noting he didn’t want to wait to the point that his successor was thrown immediately into the middle of an election cycle.
Martin said the Board of Supervisors will appoint his successor.
Valadez said the two-year extension under AB 759 will not apply to Martin’s appointed successor, who will be on the ballot in 2024 and so will have to start soon to prepare to run.
Krones said she had known about the bill when she was running, but it hadn't passed the Legislature until after her race was decided.
Krones said most of California’s counties elect district attorneys and sheriffs in off years. “The overall issue is we want more people to vote in these elections because they’re important,” she said
She said it was better to extend the terms by two years than to shorten them, as that would be unfair to voters and difficult for candidates.
Krones said she was surprised at Martin’s retirement announcement.
“I wish him all the best. I’m happy for him,” but sad for the county, Krones said.
As for whether she will serve the entirety of her upcoming six-year term, Krones said, “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
She just received her 30-year service plaque from the county of Lake so she is looking at the options available to her.
Those include serving the entire term. “I’m not prejudging anything whether I'm going to retire early,” she said, adding she’ll wait to see what’s ahead and that she never says never.
However, Krones said, “I do not expect to run again after this.”
Asked if he thought the bill would have the desired effect, Martin said it depends.
While the stated goal was to increase voters, Martin said what he’s hearing through other channels is that those offices on the midterm ballot were elected when voter generally turnout was lower and viewed as being more Republican, with more Democrats opting out.
That leads to a conclusion that the goal may be to put those races on the ballot before a more liberal voting base, Martin said.
Martin said it’s clear to him that the Legislature and the Governor's Office would like more of a say over sheriffs’ elections.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
In so doing, Assembly Bill 759 will temporarily extend the terms of the DAs and sheriffs who have been elected in 2022.
Those officials will get a one-time extension of two years in office, giving them a six-year term, in order to align with the 2028 presidential election cycle.
Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) authored AB 759 in order to move those races from midterm election years, when turnout is lower, to the higher turnout years when United States presidential candidates also share the ballot.
“These are critical countywide elected officials that deal with important life and death matters,” McCarty said in a statement released at the end of September, shortly after Newsom sided several of his bills, including AB 759. “Sheriffs are responsible for operating jails, and DAs for prosecuting criminal violations. These positions should be voted on during elections where there is high turnout — like the presidential election.”
Lake County Registrar of Voters Maria Valadez said that, so far, her office hasn’t received any guidance from the state on the new legislation, but since the bill just passed it’s still early in the process and she expects it eventually.
She said she doesn’t foresee any big changes due to the bill.
“I don’t believe the impact is that big,” Valadez said of her office and its work flow.
They already will have three supervisorial seats on that ballot, she said.
For candidates, Valadez said they will need to be prepared to begin the filing process earlier, in the fall, because they will be on the presidential primary ballot, which is in March, not June, as is in the case in the midterm elections.
Incumbent District Attorney Susan Krones won reelection to her second term in June and Sheriff Brian Martin won a third term without opposition in June.
However, last week, Martin announced that he will retire on Dec. 30, just days short of his second term, as Lake County News has reported.
He said he had planned to retire in the upcoming term, but the bill and how it would impact an appointee led him to making the decision earlier.
“This change in law really changed the dynamics of what that would look like for the county,” he said of the process to appoint a new sheriff, noting he didn’t want to wait to the point that his successor was thrown immediately into the middle of an election cycle.
Martin said the Board of Supervisors will appoint his successor.
Valadez said the two-year extension under AB 759 will not apply to Martin’s appointed successor, who will be on the ballot in 2024 and so will have to start soon to prepare to run.
Krones said she had known about the bill when she was running, but it hadn't passed the Legislature until after her race was decided.
Krones said most of California’s counties elect district attorneys and sheriffs in off years. “The overall issue is we want more people to vote in these elections because they’re important,” she said
She said it was better to extend the terms by two years than to shorten them, as that would be unfair to voters and difficult for candidates.
Krones said she was surprised at Martin’s retirement announcement.
“I wish him all the best. I’m happy for him,” but sad for the county, Krones said.
As for whether she will serve the entirety of her upcoming six-year term, Krones said, “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
She just received her 30-year service plaque from the county of Lake so she is looking at the options available to her.
Those include serving the entire term. “I’m not prejudging anything whether I'm going to retire early,” she said, adding she’ll wait to see what’s ahead and that she never says never.
However, Krones said, “I do not expect to run again after this.”
Asked if he thought the bill would have the desired effect, Martin said it depends.
While the stated goal was to increase voters, Martin said what he’s hearing through other channels is that those offices on the midterm ballot were elected when voter generally turnout was lower and viewed as being more Republican, with more Democrats opting out.
That leads to a conclusion that the goal may be to put those races on the ballot before a more liberal voting base, Martin said.
Martin said it’s clear to him that the Legislature and the Governor's Office would like more of a say over sheriffs’ elections.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The East Region Town Hall, or ERTH, will meet on Wednesday, Nov. 2.
The meeting will begin at 4 p.m. at the Moose Lodge, located at 15900 Moose Lodge Lane in Clearlake Oaks.
The meeting can be attended in person or via Zoom; the meeting ID is 935 8339 6020, the pass code is 448228.
On Wednesday, ERTH will discuss Oaks Arm and Keys restoration projects, get an update on local parks and also hear about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Sulphur Bank Mine Superfund site cleanup.
The agenda also includes the monthly updates on Spring Valley, commercial cannabis cultivation, the consolidated lighting district in Clearlake Oaks, the Lake County geothermal project watchlist, the Northshore Fire Protection District and a report from Supervisor EJ Crandell.
The group’s last meeting of the year is scheduled for Dec. 7.
ERTH’s members are Denise Loustalot, Jim Burton, Tony Morris and Pamela Kicenski.
For more information visit the group’s Facebook page.
The meeting will begin at 4 p.m. at the Moose Lodge, located at 15900 Moose Lodge Lane in Clearlake Oaks.
The meeting can be attended in person or via Zoom; the meeting ID is 935 8339 6020, the pass code is 448228.
On Wednesday, ERTH will discuss Oaks Arm and Keys restoration projects, get an update on local parks and also hear about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Sulphur Bank Mine Superfund site cleanup.
The agenda also includes the monthly updates on Spring Valley, commercial cannabis cultivation, the consolidated lighting district in Clearlake Oaks, the Lake County geothermal project watchlist, the Northshore Fire Protection District and a report from Supervisor EJ Crandell.
The group’s last meeting of the year is scheduled for Dec. 7.
ERTH’s members are Denise Loustalot, Jim Burton, Tony Morris and Pamela Kicenski.
For more information visit the group’s Facebook page.
Illegal sideshows, takeovers, and street racing remain a major cause of death and injury on California roadways.
The California Highway Patrol recently received a federal grant that will support the state’s redoubled efforts to crack down on reckless driving behaviors that continue to wreak havoc throughout the state.
Building on the $5.5 million in the 2022-23 state budget for the CHP to implement the Campaign to Eliminate Street Racing and Sideshows, or CESRS, the $1.5 million Sideshow, Takeover, Racing, Education, and Enforcement Taskforce, or STREET, grant will help efforts to decrease the number of fatal and injury traffic crashes attributed to illegal sideshows, takeovers and street racing.
In 2019-2020, speed was a factor in approximately 40% of all fatal and injury crashes in California.
In years 2020-2021, preliminary data reflects the number of people killed in crashes caused by reckless driving increased 21% from the previous period.
The CHP continues to receive a high number of reports on sideshows and street racing and the negative consequences associated with such careless exploits.
“Reckless driving behaviors are a significant threat to all who use California’s roadways,” said CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray. “The STREET grant will provide for a focused education and enforcement campaign, targeting aggressive driving behaviors, street racing, and sideshow activities.”
During the past two years, California has seen significant increases in the number of incidents from unsafe driving behaviors, including motorists exceeding 100 miles per hour on state highways, illicit street racing and sideshow activities, and speed-related crashes.
To address the issue, from Jan. 1, 2021, to Sept. 30, 2022, the CHP conducted enhanced speed enforcement operations on state routes that have seen an increase in speed-related issues.
During this period, the CHP issued 40,593 citations to motorists exceeding 100 miles per hour. CHP also collaborated with allied law enforcement agencies, leading to the creation of street racing and sideshow task forces and social media campaigns posting the dangers associated with high speed, aggressive driving behaviors, and street racing.
The STREET grant allows for a comparable campaign starting this month through Sept. 30, 2023. Funding for the STREET program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
As an added deterrent, Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed Assembly Bill 2000 (Gabriel), making it illegal for a person to participate and/or engage in a motor vehicle speed contest or in an exhibition of speed in an off-street parking facility.
The measure goes into effect on January 1, 2023.
The California Highway Patrol recently received a federal grant that will support the state’s redoubled efforts to crack down on reckless driving behaviors that continue to wreak havoc throughout the state.
Building on the $5.5 million in the 2022-23 state budget for the CHP to implement the Campaign to Eliminate Street Racing and Sideshows, or CESRS, the $1.5 million Sideshow, Takeover, Racing, Education, and Enforcement Taskforce, or STREET, grant will help efforts to decrease the number of fatal and injury traffic crashes attributed to illegal sideshows, takeovers and street racing.
In 2019-2020, speed was a factor in approximately 40% of all fatal and injury crashes in California.
In years 2020-2021, preliminary data reflects the number of people killed in crashes caused by reckless driving increased 21% from the previous period.
The CHP continues to receive a high number of reports on sideshows and street racing and the negative consequences associated with such careless exploits.
“Reckless driving behaviors are a significant threat to all who use California’s roadways,” said CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray. “The STREET grant will provide for a focused education and enforcement campaign, targeting aggressive driving behaviors, street racing, and sideshow activities.”
During the past two years, California has seen significant increases in the number of incidents from unsafe driving behaviors, including motorists exceeding 100 miles per hour on state highways, illicit street racing and sideshow activities, and speed-related crashes.
To address the issue, from Jan. 1, 2021, to Sept. 30, 2022, the CHP conducted enhanced speed enforcement operations on state routes that have seen an increase in speed-related issues.
During this period, the CHP issued 40,593 citations to motorists exceeding 100 miles per hour. CHP also collaborated with allied law enforcement agencies, leading to the creation of street racing and sideshow task forces and social media campaigns posting the dangers associated with high speed, aggressive driving behaviors, and street racing.
The STREET grant allows for a comparable campaign starting this month through Sept. 30, 2023. Funding for the STREET program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
As an added deterrent, Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed Assembly Bill 2000 (Gabriel), making it illegal for a person to participate and/or engage in a motor vehicle speed contest or in an exhibition of speed in an off-street parking facility.
The measure goes into effect on January 1, 2023.