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Yonkers Putting Brakes On Drag Racing

YONKERS, N.Y. - Officials in Yonkers are putting the brakes on anyone considering illegal street racing in the city.

Yonkers officials with the family of Michael Nolan announcing the new legislation.

Yonkers officials with the family of Michael Nolan announcing the new legislation.

Photo Credit: Contributed

For years, drag racing has been an issue for police in Yonkers. Beginning on Saturday, new legislation passed by the City Council this week takes effect, and will allow police to seize vehicles that are used in a race, Mayor Mike Spano announced on Thursday.

More than 600 tickets have been issued in the city this year, according to police.

Spano stated that this bi-partisan legislation is the first of its kind in Yonkers and in Westchester County to address illegal racing.

"Our main concern is for the safety of our residents,” he said. “Thanks to our City Council, this new legislation will help prevent future drag racing on our streets from occurring.  We hope that seizing cars immediately we be a serious deterrent to those who participate in this unsafe practice.”

The legislation, proposed by City Councilman John Larkin was inspired by the death of former Yonkers resident and Oakland A’s professional baseball prospect Michael Nolan, who was fatally shot following an incident related to drag racing on Central Park Avenue.

“This is a great day for our city because we improve the quality of life for the residents of Yonkers,” he stated. “I’ve been meeting with the Nolan family regarding this issue for almost two years and this law is a loud and clear message that Yonkers will have zero tolerance for drag racing.”

“This new anti-drag racing ordinance supported by our Mayor Mike Spano and City Council provides us another important tool to ensure the safety and security of our residents,” Yonkers Police Commissioner Charles Gardner added.  “Let this be a warning to those who engage in this reckless behavior – if you are caught drag racing in Yonkers we are going to seize your car and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”

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