Lawmakers in Mississippi are considering a somewhat novel approach to the ongoing issue of street racing: taking away the cars.

Street racing is hardly a new issue. Longtime APB readers may remember past coverage addressing the problem everywhere from Texas to Minnesota and points in between. For readers new to the concept, however, street racing often involves far more than two cars lining up and punching it when a light turns green.

In many cases, racers organize street takeovers, drawing large crowds that block intersections and roadways. The sheer number of people present often makes it difficult for law enforcement to hold anyone accountable.

Some states have attempted to combat the issue through new legislation. In Florida, lawmakers passed a law allowing internet video to be used as evidence against violators. House Bill 1272, now being considered in Mississippi, would go further by allowing law enforcement to seize vehicles used in street racing.

Lawmakers supporting the bill say street racing endangers innocent people and disrupts neighborhoods with reckless driving and late-night noise.

The bill’s author, Representative Shanda Yates, believes vehicle seizure would serve as a stronger deterrent than traditional penalties. “Every law enforcement officer we talked to definitely thought if these people who are speeding down interstates knew the vehicle [that] they put tens of thousands of dollars in could be seized, it would curtail it better than anything on the books,” she said, according to local NBC news affiliate WLBT 3. Lawmakers supporting the bill say street racing endangers innocent people and disrupts neighborhoods with reckless driving and late-night noise, arguing that current penalties, which include fines and jail time, do little to deter repeat offenders. If enacted, the legislation, which passed House Judiciary A Committee in early February, would expand police authority to impound vehicles linked to street racing incidents, with forfeiture proceedings conducted under state law. The measure would apply to 36 of Mississippi’s 82 counties.

Critics are likely to raise concerns about the proposal, as civil forfeiture is frequently criticized by civil rights groups. Opponents argue that the practice can lead to corruption or incentivize policing for profit.

Supporters counter that the intent of civil forfeiture is not monetary but preventative, designed to remove the tools used by criminals to commit crimes and stop future offenses. In many jurisdictions, seized vehicles are retained and repurposed for law enforcement use.

For example, last year, the Florida Highway Patrol unveiled a 2023 C8 Corvette Stingray converted from a vehicle seized during a DEA task force operation. And in 2022, the Texas Department of Public Safety outfitted a 2020 Dodge Challenger Hellcat seized following a high-speed chase.

More seasoned officers may recall less glamorous examples of the practice. A decade ago, it wasn’t uncommon to see sheriff’s department vehicles bearing decals across the tailgate reading, “Donated by a local drug dealer.”

Those hoping to see Mississippi officers patrolling in Fast and Furious–style imports, however, may be disappointed. Under the current language of Yates’ bill, any seized vehicles would be “sold in the manner provided by law.” Oh well.