SHREVEPORT – City police have joined a national initiative cracking down on young people racing cars on public streets.
The main goal of the program, Beat the Heat, is to move the hot-rodders onto racetracks that are supervised and have emergency help.
Shreveport police have three hot rods of their own: a rotary engine-powered Chevy S-10, a souped up Plymouth Duster with a rear-bumper parachute and a Chevy Camaro stocked with roll bars.
The vehicles bear Shreveport police decals as well as bar lights, but they’re not for catching street racers.
They’re used as four-wheeled billboards to raise awareness of the dangers of street racing.
Recent Hollywood movies have focused on street racing, and Lt. Frank Datcher said it’s becoming more common in Shreveport, despite its risks.
“Street racing is about showing off. It’s human nature. You’ve got a nice looking car, you want to show it off to your friends. It’s a death waiting to happen,’’ said Jose Zeda, a Spanish translator for Shreveport police.
Other goals of Beat the Heat are to educate young people about illegal drug and alcohol use, the dangers of alcohol- and drug-impaired driving and to improve relations between police and the public. The program is funded through donations.
