Los Angeles County officials released a PSA to teach young people about the dangers of illegal street racing and takeovers.
The PSA, entitled “Street Racing Kills - It’s Just Not Worth it,” starts off with a text message and then a street racing compilation, followed by the sound of a crash and police sirens.
Then, a kid named Jacob talks about how illegal street racing took the lives of three of his friends and got him charged with murder.
David Carroll, the head of L.A. County's Department of Youth Development, told KNX News’ Karen Adams that the PSA is meant to be intense and impactful.
“It was created under the guidance of other young people,” he said. “We went through three or four iterations to make sure that it had the tone that young people would relate to, as well as the messages that they think resonate the most. As we've gone through these workshops. The thing that resonates the most is the physical harm that can happen to folks if they're engaged in these activities.
Carroll said the PSA is just one tool officials are using to reel in the illegal activity.
Officials say since February, the number of street takeovers countywide has gone down 58 % from the same time last year. Also, youth who participate in a Street Takeovers Kill workshop are 83 % less likely to take part in the illegal activity.
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