Birmingham Police Crack Down on Street Racing With Stern Warning and Seized Weapons

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — The Birmingham Police Department (BPD) is sending a stern warning to drivers after sharing a new post about street racing, calling the practice not just illegal but dangerous and tied to other crimes.

In a Facebook post, officers emphasized: “Just street racers? Street racing is not only dangerous, it’s illegal, and it often leads to other crimes.”

The department’s warning came alongside photos showing seized guns and a car being towed away from a Shell gas station — visuals meant to underscore the risks and consequences of reckless racing in the city.

Crackdown on Exhibition Driving

This latest message follows a series of actions taken by Birmingham police to fight exhibition driving and street racing. In April 2024, BPD launched Operation Knight Rider after community complaints. That crackdown led to multiple arrests and continued enforcement into 2025.

Street racing has become an ongoing safety issue across Birmingham, drawing concern from both police and residents over reckless driving stunts, collisions, and large gatherings tied to the activity.

Tougher Laws and Penalties

In 2024, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed House Bill 474, a law permitting the use of cameras to help law enforcement monitor and address exhibition driving.

Following that, the Birmingham City Council strengthened its ordinances, approving penalties not just for drivers but also for spectators. The law allows police to charge passengers, event organizers, and even those recording incidents of exhibition driving.

City officials said the move was necessary to discourage the gatherings that fuel street racing culture and often end in violence or serious crashes.

Community Impact

Police have urged residents to recognize that street racing isn’t harmless entertainment. Beyond traffic dangers, officials warn the gatherings frequently involve illegal weapons, drugs, and violence.

The department continues to ask the public to report incidents and avoid participating in or encouraging exhibition driving events.

Birmingham’s latest warning makes it clear that the city is intensifying its stance: street racing will not be tolerated, and those involved — whether drivers, organizers, or spectators — risk arrest, fines, and prosecution.

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