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Drag Racing Sparks Concern In Rockland

It's not an every night occurrence, and no one has been killed, but Clarkstown Police are looking to crackdown on complaints of drag racing in an area around Nanuet.

Some residents have complained about local drag racers.

Some residents have complained about local drag racers.

Photo Credit: Pxhere

The "car enthusiasts," as Officer Peter Walker calls them, have been active in the area for about 20 years and meet at a local shopping center parking lot near Route 59 and the Thruway to check out each other's car and rev their engines.

That's where the problem lies. There's a neighborhood nearby and the noise bothers them, Walker said.

"I'm not saying this group is breaking any laws or are criminals," Walker said. "They have been around for a long time."

But they have been known to head for the highways late at night for a short race at high speeds.

The drag racers seem to favor Route 59, the New York State Thruway and the Palisades Parkway when it's late and night and there is less traffic, said Walker. 

The groups often video the races and post them on YouTube or to share with each other.

Unless the owner of the shopping center complains, there isn't much the police can do because it is private property and several businesses that are open at night profit from the car club being there. 

"Unless the owner says they are trespassing, they are allowed to be there," he added.

The department has added extra patrols to monitor the roadways for races, but Walker said the group seems to know when they are around and don't' head to the roadways.

"It's not an epidemic, and we can't really do anything unless officers see it firsthand," Walker said.

The best way to stop the problem is for any driver who sees drag racing should notify authorities. 

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