NBC4 gets exclusive look at LA street takeover crackdown operation

to a Simi Valley police officer.

And our other top story at 11. A

crackdown on street takeovers.

That is the mission of a

multi-agency operation tonight

in South Los Angeles. It is an

ongoing issue in L.A. County

that in some cases, is leading

to more serious crimes,

including vandalism and theft.

Just last week at 11, we brought

you these new numbers from

police. There have been 17

separate takeovers that led to

nearby store burglaries since

June 28th. And now we're getting

an exclusive look at an

operation intending to bring

down those numbers. NBC 4's

Camilla Rambaldi joining us live

with a look inside. Camilla. Hi,

Jonathan and Kathy, that

operation tonight involving the

LAUSD, the LAPD and the CHP.

These street takeovers. The LAPD

says it. The LAPD rather says

it's a problem that continues to

happen and that it's happening

nearly every weekend. And

tonight we followed along with

the LAUSD to give you a closer

look. It's a dangerous trend

across L.A. County. Tonight, a

multi-agency operation in South

Los Angeles involving the Los

Angeles Sheriff's Department,

the LAPD and CHP cracking down

on street takeovers, street

takeovers. They cause not only

destruction to property, but

also loss of life. They're very

dangerous. They impede traffic.

We followed along with LAPD

tonight. Crews were out here

monitoring the area. News

Chopper 4 also overhead showing

law enforcement making several

traffic stops to combat illegal

street takeovers. At this one

stop video, NBC 4 captured

showing some people in cars

being questioned by law

enforcement. We try to apprehend

the offenders, right? The

violators. We try to also catch

them in the act. Whether a

takeover starts, if we catch

them, we're going to take your

car as far as impound the

vehicle. You can also be cited

and arrested for being part of

the takeover itself. According

to data from the LAPD shared

with NBC 4, there have been

about 40 reported takeovers from

April to June in the areas they

cover. I think that's very

surprising. I mean, it's almost

every weekend that we have a

street takeovers. Why do you

think that is? I just think it's

probably a growing trend amongst

some people. Social media is a

big influence. They see these

takeovers, they seem fun using

water guns, throwing water

balloons, using fireworks, using

destructive devices just to have

a little bit of fun. But in

reality, it's not fun. It's very

dangerous and it's damage going

beyond the streets. According to

police, since June 28th, there

have been 17 separate street

takeovers that have led to

burglaries at nearby stores,

leaving behind thousands of

dollars worth of damage. One

problem they're also having to

is a lot of the looters. They

utilize these street takeovers

to vandalize businesses. As you

see with the flash mobs. That's

one of our concerns as well.

Concerns. They say they will

continue to combat. And the LAPD

says if you are caught in a

street takeover to report it to

law enforcement and to not be a

spectator, they say that many

times these street takeovers are

not reported. And by the time

law enforcement arrives, the

damage has already been done.

We're live tonight in South