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NEW ORLEANS - District "D" Councilmember Eugene Green has issued the following statement asking both City and State officials to investigate and pursue charges, where possible, in response to Saturday night’s reckless-vehicle-operation takeover of a portion of Elysian Fields Avenue near Gentilly Boulevard:
"The appalling, reckless-operation-of-vehicle takeover posed a direct threat to the health and safety of innocent people. Residents of the area were not able to get to or leave their homes. People with medical conditions were unable to get to nearby drugstores. Also, motorists, including some children, were forced to wait in their blocked vehicles while being terrorized by the stunt drivers.
Some of the reckless vehicle operators wore masks. It is apparent that this was a social media/internet-created lawless activity that caused damage to a State Highway (Hwy. 3021). This activity clearly violates Sec. 54-503 of the Code of the City of New Orleans, which prohibits speed contests and vehicle stunt activities. That Ordinance prescribes penalties of up to $500, imprisonment, and vehicle impoundment for both stunt drivers and spectators.
I am calling on the New Orleans Police Department and the Louisiana State Police to investigate Saturday’s takeover and to forward their findings to the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office.
Obstruction of a highway of commerce in Louisiana is a violation of State law."
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