LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The intersection of 22nd Street and Portland Avenue was filled with tire marks Monday morning after a weekend of street racing, Louisville Metro Police said.

Street racers took over the intersection as well as another: Hancock and Market streets near Louisville's Phoenix Hill neighborhood. LMPD posted pictures on social media Saturday saying officers seized six dirt bikes, two vehicles and a four-wheeler in its ongoing illegal street racing investigation.

"We are definitely seeing an uptick in drag racing all over the city," said Metro Councilman Ben Reno-Weber, D-8. "There's a lot of cruising over Derby weekend. That's fine. It is the street racing part we're trying to stop."

People caught street racing are subject to a $1,000 fine. Vehicles seized from a street racing raid will be kept in the LMPD tow lot for six months as stated in the ordinance that Louisville Metro Council passed in 2022.

Reno-Weber said the penalties are working, but more needs to be done to stop street racing before it becomes a problem.

"We don't want this to be the next Fast And The Furious movie," Reno-Weber said. "Right now, let's see if we can add additional enforcement resources."

LMPD is working on a plan to monitor street racers using drones. The program is a while away from launching, but, in the meantime, they're exploring new ideas, like creating places where people race safely.

Nine more violations went out Monday, LMPD said, meaning more vehicles involved in street racing will be impounded soon.

"This is not something our city should have to tolerate," Reno-Weber said.

LMPD said its traffic unit is ready to respond, and they’ve already been able to stop drivers by being at the right place at the right time. If you see street racing, LMPD asks that you call the police tip line at 502-574-LMPD (5673).  

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