08-06-2025
Kansas City police stop potential sideshow during First Friday; enforcement continues
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City police officers assigned to the city's entertainment districts on First Friday broke up a potential sideshow in a nearby area.
According to KCPD, one man who had warrants and was driving with his gun on the passenger seat was arrested. Another man now has a tow fee of at least $500 for his tricks.
'We value the safety of the people who are here and visiting and would appreciate and do respect the police for helping us out in that aspect,' said Colin Aubuchon, who lives in the Crossroads.
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Over the last several weeks, KCPD's Entertainment District plan has resulted in dozens of arrests related to ATVs, sideshows, street racing, and other dangerous and illegal activities in busy areas, such as the Crossroads.
'We do understand and respect anybody being able to do what they want to. But at the same time, it is kind of an inconvenience for the people who live down here and at midnight or one in the morning when we have to go to work the next day, it's kind of inconvenient for us to wake up to all the street racing, ATVs, dirt bikes going around,' Aubuchon explained.
Street racing has been an ongoing issue in the Crossroads and other entertainment districts around Kansas City.
'It has been a rising issue. Our art studio and gallery are right here, and we hear it all the time,' said Mark Allen, who works in the Crossroads. 'There are loud cars that are coming through, especially here on 18th Street. They're going really fast.'
Allen said he wasn't aware of any racing issues Friday night but said it has been a concern during First Fridays in the past.
'I'm less concerned now because they used to close off all the streets, and I think that's when it became a bigger issue because there were more people congregating,' Allen said. 'I didn't notice the sideshow (Friday night); we were in the gallery the whole time, so we didn't necessarily hear it. But I wouldn't be surprised.'
He said while some speed-slowing measures have helped, racing remains a significant concern.
'I don't know what the answer is. It's definitely a growing issue,' Allen said. 'I think that these (speed-slowing measures) have helped somewhat slow the speed of people coming through, but it's a huge issue, and I don't think enough is being done.'
KCPD said the increased police presence in entertainment districts will remain in place.
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