Gregory Kielma • September 5, 2025
Our Cities Are Being Taken Over and Going TO HELL
Our Cities Are Being Taken Over and Going TO HELL
Says Gregg Kielma FFL and Firearms Instructor, "please stay safe and be ready".
An expert in crime prevention and reduction told Fox News Digital that the recent rash of urban organized street takeovers leaves residents in fear, and feeling like authorities don't have control over the streets they are supposed to protect.
"Whether you're having dinner or studying or getting ready to go to bed, they're loud. They're disorganized. They're not good for the neighborhood or the city," said John Jay College of Criminal Justice professor Peter Moskos. "And it also gives the perception, rooted in reality in this case, that nobody's in control."
Over the past few weeks, there have been at least nine such high-profile incidents across the country.
Moskos was a police officer in Baltimore's Eastern District, a notoriously rough part of the city, before becoming an academic. He is also the author of the recently published book "Back from the Brink: Inside the NYPD and New York City's Extraordinary 1990s Crime Drop."
"And that creates fear," Moskos continued. "It creates a disconnect with what you expect government to be able to do, which is to, at a basic extent, just maintain public order.
"They're dangerous to the public. They're dangerous to participants," he said. "But there's also the quality-of-life factors that if you live near where this is happening repeatedly, you just simply don't want it happening."
On Aug. 9, around 50 vehicles wreaked havoc outside the Crypto.com Arena, home of the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers and the NHL's Los Angeles Kings, doing donuts and burnouts while onlookers set off fireworks and shot paintball guns at vehicles, according to KTLA.
Two people also reportedly broke into a storefront and looted merchandise during the event.
Stemming from a recent street takeover in Carson, California, part of Los Angeles County, authorities reportedly arrested 64 spectators and towed 25 vehicles. Two vehicles were impounded for 30 days, and eight traffic citations were issued.
Moskos said the first step to tackling the phenomenon is to understand why it's happening. He said it has become "cool" in the eyes of the participants, and that one way to make street takeovers uncool again is for politicians to have the will to crack down on the practice.
"The politicians in charge need to say this is unacceptable, and we're going to end it. It is possible to end that. We can change culture. We can certainly stop people from engaging in this one activity, but there are going to be consequences," he said.
Social media plays a role in the continued trend.
"Given that everyone has a phone, there is going to be social media attention to this. But that is part of the appeal," he said.
On Aug. 13, 200 bikers took to the streets in Tampa, Florida, swerving through traffic and on sidewalks, flying through intersections and doing wheelies.
"We definitely felt that there was an extreme danger at that point, and we needed to address it," said Tampa Police Maj. Les Richardson," according to FOX 13.
On Aug. 16, "hundreds of people and cars" swarmed Home Depot, In-N-Out and Target parking lots in what was described as an "illegal" street takeover in Seaside, California, according to KSBW. The local police department said it is planning enforcement actions for future takeovers.
On the same day, 100 cyclists, e-bike and dirt bike riders took over a Boston highway, terrifying local drivers. The incident resulted in a collision with a Massachusetts State Police vehicle. Only one person was arrested.
In Charlotte, North Carolina, police announced on X that 98 people were arrested during the week of Aug. 11 for their roles in numerous street takeovers throughout the city.
"Here we are again... because apparently some folks still think turning intersections into racetracks is a good idea. We're here to remind you – it's NOT. Still illegal. Still dangerous. Still getting shut down," the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said. "Street stunts have consequences! And we'll be here to remind you of that, every time."
Along with the arrests, police said numerous vehicles have been seized in connection with the takeovers.
On Aug. 18, the Dallas Police Department, which has a Street Racing Task Force, responded to a street takeover that included a "large group of motorcycles, dirt bikes and off-road vehicles doing stunts, blocking both directions of travel, and driving dangerously."
Police said that 30 citations were issued for various violations of license, registration and insurance laws. 12 e-bikes and dirt bikers were seized.
"We enforce Texas laws to keep our streets safe," said Maj. Gabriel Candelaria, commander of the Northeast Patrol Division. "Our streets are not a stage for stunt driving and reckless behavior."
As for solutions, Moskos said that if the culture doesn't change, other methods can be explored.
"Maybe the answer is to put physical obstacles in certain places when it's safe to do so," he said. "And again, these have to be figured out at the local level, and again, ideally in cooperation with neighborhood groups, with other city agencies. But it is something that we can police our way out of."
In early August, a Cleveland City councilman, Michael Polensek, witnessed and video recorded a street takeover in the city, according to Cleveland 19 News. He observed multiple vehicles without license plates taking part in the charade.
A 911 caller reportedly said, "approximately 500 dirt bikes are blocking three gas stations."
"Charge them for going through the red lights, charge them for endangering motorists -- go after these people because unless you do that, it’s not going to stop and someone is going to get hurt, and someone’s going to get killed," Polensek told the news outlet.
In Cincinnati, 17 cars were involved in an early August Street takeover. Four vehicles were impounded stemming from that incident.
All in all, the crackdowns will have to continue until street takeover ringleaders and participants are totally deterred.
"You can't just say one and done and say, 'Look, we arrested 100 people, therefore it's a success.' No, in a way, you arrested 100 people, [and] that was a failure," said Moskos. "It might be the path toward success, but you just have to keep it up till people change their behavior. I mean the thing about policing is it is a verb, and it's not always done by police. But you're trying to police behavior and it can be done."
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Being Prepared for the 2026 Hurricane Season By Gregory Kielma, Tactical K Training & Firearms The 2026 Hurricane Season is shaping up to be another year where preparation isn’t optional it’s essential. Florida has seen record heat, rising insurance pressures, rapid population growth, and increasingly unpredictable storm behavior. None of that is meant to create fear. It’s meant to reinforce a simple truth: preparedness gives you control, confidence, and options when the weather turns. Whether you’re protecting a home, a business, or a family, the goal is the same build layers of readiness before the first storm forms. Start With Awareness and a Plan Storms don’t give you time to “figure it out later.” Your plan should be written, practiced, and known by everyone in the household or workplace. Key elements of a solid plan: Where will you go if evacuation becomes necessary Multiple routes out of your area A communication plan if cell networks fail A designated out‑of‑state contact A plan for pets, elderly family members, and anyone with medical needs For businesses, include: Who secures the building Who handles digital backups Who communicates closures and reopening A plan removes panic. It replaces it with action. Strengthen Your Home or Business Before the First Storm Florida structures take a beating every year. Small improvements now prevent major losses later. Exterior protection: Inspect your roof for loose shingles or soft spots Clear gutters and drainage paths Trim trees and remove dead limbs Install or test shutters Reinforce garage doors—one of the most common failure points Interior protection: Surge protection for critical electronics Elevate valuables and important documents Know how to shut off water, power, and gas If you own a business, walk your property as if you were a storm: What can break? What can blow away? What can flood? Fix those points now. Build a Realistic, Usable Supply Kit For Your Home or Business A hurricane kit isn’t about stockpiling, it’s about independence. After a major storm, help may take hours or days to reach your area. For homes and families: Water: 1 gallon per person per day (minimum 3–7 days) Non‑perishable food Medications and medical supplies Flashlights, headlamps, and batteries Battery bank for phones First aid kit Copies of important documents Cash in small bills Tools, gloves, tarps, duct tape For businesses: Backup power for essential systems Printed employee contact lists Hard copies of insurance documents A plan for securing inventory and equipment Preparedness isn’t about fear it’s about not being dependent on luck. Protect Your Digital Life In 2026, digital readiness is just as important as physical readiness. Back up important files to the cloud and an external drive Photograph your home, business, and valuables for insurance Store digital copies of IDs, insurance policies, and receipts Keep chargers, power banks, and a small solar panel if possible When the power goes out, your digital preparation keeps you moving. Understand Post‑Storm Safety Most injuries happen after the storm, not during it. Be cautious with: Downed power lines Flooded roads Carbon monoxide from generators Unstable structures Contaminated water If you evacuated, don’t rush home. Wait for official clearance. Your safety comes first. Mindset: Prepared, Not Paranoid Preparedness is a discipline, not a reaction. It’s the same mindset we teach in every Tactical K class awareness, planning, and responsible action. A hurricane is a natural event. Your response is a choice. When you prepare early, you protect: Your family Your property Your business Your peace of mind And you set an example for your community. Kielma’s Parting Shot The 2026 Hurricane Season will bring challenges, just like every season. But Floridians are resilient, and preparation is part of our way of life. Start now. Strengthen your home, your business, and your plan. Build your layers of safety before the first storm forms. If you need help building a plan, creating a checklist, or preparing your family or business, Tactical K Training is here to support you with practical, real‑world guidance.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking Nine Firearms, Including to Buyer Who Said He Was ‘At War’ Thursday, April 30, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia WASHINGTON - Brandon Smith, 34, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 87 months in prison for conspiring to traffic at least nine firearms to a prohibited buyer over the course of six months, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “Brandon Smith was already on supervised probation for a violent felony when he chose to traffic firearms, and he continued even after being told the buyer intended to use them for violence,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Over the course of six months, he arranged the sale of at least nine guns—including one with an obliterated serial number—to a prohibited individual. This was not a momentary lapse in judgment, but a sustained and deliberate effort to arm someone who could not legally possess firearms. My office remains committed to holding accountable those who endanger our communities by trafficking illegal guns.” On Jan. 9, 2026, Smith pleaded guilty before Judge Howell to conspiracy to commit trafficking in firearms. In addition to the 87-month prison term, Judge Howell ordered Smith to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 108-month prison term. According to court papers, beginning in November 2023, ATF opened an investigation after a confidential source reported that Smith, then on supervised probation for a violent felony, was actively advertising firearms for sale by texting photographs of guns to prospective buyers, including individuals with prior felony convictions. During the next six months, Smith sold or arranged the sale of nine firearms to a buyer on six separate occasions. During the transactions, Smith sold his own personal carry firearm on multiple occasions when a supplier failed to deliver, then purchased a replacement for himself afterward. In early January 2024, as Smith and the buyer discussed an upcoming transaction, the buyer told Smith he needed the firearms because he was “at war” after his cousin had been killed. Smith proceeded with the sale. The buyer had also told Smith he was serving a criminal justice sentence at the time of the transactions. Smith acknowledged that he, too, was “on papers.” Smith arranged a total of six transactions from Nov. 30, 2023, through May 30, 2024, resulting in the sale of nine firearms. At least one of the firearms had its serial number obliterated. On Oct. 26, 2024, MPD officers conducted a traffic stop on the 1600 block of 16th Street SE and found Smith in the front passenger seat of a parked vehicle. Officers observed open containers of alcohol and discovered a satchel at his feet. Inside the satchel, in plain view, was a loaded Glock Model 19X 9mm handgun with a round in the chamber and 16 additional rounds in the magazine. The bag also contained a bank card and government-issued identification in Smith’s name. Smith has prior convictions for Simple Assault (2011), Attempted Robbery (2013), and Robbery and Possession of a Firearm during a Crime of Violence (2016), for which he was sentenced to five years in prison. He was serving a term of supervised probation from the 2016 conviction at the time of the firearms trafficking conspiracy. This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Office, and the Metropolitan Police Department. The matter was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan M. Horan. Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking
