Bay Area County Cracks Down on Sideshow Spectators with Jail Time
The Alameda County Board of Supervisors is considering an ordinance that would make it illegal to watch sideshows, subjecting spectators to fines, jail time, or both. The proposal aims to crack down on these illegal car events that often result in injuries, property damage, and divert law enforcement resources. However, legal experts argue that the ordinance violates the First Amendment, as the public and press have the right to watch, record, and report on public events, even if they are illegal. Sideshows have evolved and spread to other Bay Area cities, with organizers using social media to attract large crowds. Similar laws exist in Oakland, San Jose, and Pittsburg, but critics question the clarity and constitutionality of penalizing spectators.