Gov. Greg Abbott signs bills cracking down on street racing and street takeovers

Texas Governor Greg Abbott and other North Texas and law enforcement leaders met Wednesday as Abbott ceremoniously signed two bills that address street racing in the state.

Abbott was joined by Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes, Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Weybourn and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw to speak on the impact of the laws and interagency cooperation in addressing street racing and street takeovers in Texas.

On July 30, the governor called to have Texas DPS troopers policing city streets. The controversial call came after Austin police called on DPS for help during a street takeover event. At least five illegal street takeovers happened late Saturday night in Austin over a few hours.

Last month, a street takeover in Fort Worth led to a police chase and the arrests of five people. The group arrested in this incident were connected another set of viral Austin street takeovers that occurred in February, Fort Worth police said at the time.

On the evening of Feb. 18 and into the morning of Feb. 19, Austin police said they responded to seven street takeover events. A month later, police announced that 17 people were charged in connection to the incidents.

FULL STORY: https://www.wfaa.com/article/n....ews/local/texas/texa