San Diego police announced Tuesday they have brought back an old practice — one that has not been used in 20 years – in their effort to combat local reckless driving and illegal street takeovers : court-ordered car crushing.

Street takeovers, also known as sideshows, generally involve spectators blocking intersections to create space for drivers to do potentially dangerous maneuvers, such as “donuts” and “burnouts.”

Investigators said these illegal group gatherings, as well as high-speed street racing, have become a focus for them in recent years due to the expensive damage they cause to public property and the risk of injury associated with them.

A 17-year-old died after crashing into a tree while racing another motorist in Chula Vista Monday night. And multiple street takeover eve

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