Philadelphia police vow crackdown on illegal street racing after chaotic weekend

Philadelphia police are cracking down on illegal street racing following a series of 11 incidents this weekend, the department announced in a press conference Sunday.

Officers say they responded to incidents of reckless driving overnight Saturday, each involving between 50 and over 200 vehicles. Those involved are accused of a slew of crimes, including igniting trash fires, setting off fireworks and vandalizing police vehicles.

Video from one incident shared via X shows a rowdy crowd swarming a police vehicle as another vehicle drifts through the street. The incidents caught the attention of both X owner Elon Musk and House Judiciary Committee Republicans, with the latter "you're not safe in Democrat-run Philadelphia."

Deputy Commissioner Francis Healy vowed to hold those responsible accountablea Sunday press conference streamed by FOX 29 Philadelphia.

"This behavior will not be tolerated," Healy said. "We firmly believe that the actions last night were in retaliation of the police department's aggressive actions that we've been taking since Mayor Parker's administration began."

For those that were involved last night, we have your picture," he added. "We're coming for you. If you think you got away last night, you didn't."

Also commenting was Deputy Commissioner Mike Cram, who condemned the "destructive" nature of the acts.

"At one point they had a flamethrower," Cram said. "It's playing whack-a-mole, that's the best way to describe it. We hit them at one location, they move to another very quickly."

The Philadelphia Police Department did not respond to multiple requests for comment sent by The National Desk via email Monday.