Swan Island neighbors say street racing happens ‘nightly’ after takeover arrest

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - Portland police say just before 8 p.m. Friday, officers responded to an organized street takeover on Swan Island. Police say this incident led to at least a dozen cars towed and one arrest.

Neil Greenwood lives in north Portland and said there are areas in his neighborhood he avoids because street racing is so common.

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“You can hear it clear as day if you’re out after dark,” Greenwood said. “If you drive anywhere on Columbia … you can see the burnouts, the tire tracks, all that stuff. We just don’t tend to go up that way after dark because you’re going to run into cars racing.”

PPB said they take street racing and street takeovers seriously, calling it dangerous, disruptive and illegal. Over the past year, they’ve conducted unannounced missions targeting these street events that have resulted in several arrests and dozens of tows.

Nevertheless, Greenwood said racing remains a nightly disturbance.

“I’m not saying the police don’t monitor the area, but there’s only so much they can do,” Greenwood said. “We love north Portland for what it is, it’s certainly come up over the years, we just want to make sure it’s a good place for families, our dogs, whatever else in the community to stay safe.”

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