A year after the city ramped up its use of technology to help curb illegal street racing and reckless driving, police continue to face challenges, in part because of social media.

During last week’s city council meeting, Tucson Police Chief Chad Kasmar pointed out how social media platforms amplify this reckless behavior, especially among young men.

“A year after we’ve rolled out these cameras, it’s still chaos on the streets,” Kasmar said. “They’re not registered, they’re not legal, and we get those complaints as well. Social media is driving the clickbait.”

Kasmar noted that the reckless driving isn’t coming from organized car clubs, which follow safety protocols and use designated spaces for racing.

"This is a different culture," Kasmar said. "We have many good organized car clubs, but this group is driven by a desire for attention."

Last year, the city rolled out cutting-edge tools including automated license plate readers, surveillance cameras and gunshot detection systems.

These efforts are part of the city’s Community Safety Awareness and Response Center, which launched earlier this year and tracks how these tools are evolving to address the growing problem.

"We’ve launched 50 out of 300 cameras focused on street racing and other challenges," said IT Director Chris Mazzarella. "By setting standards and avoiding duplicative spending, we’re ensuring taxpayers’ dollars are being used efficiently."

TPD has also been more proactive, with over 29,000 traffic contacts made this year — a steady increase from the previous years. Kasmar said that four out of the five near-term strategies approved by the mayor and council are now in place, including the deployment of radios with enhanced encryption.

"Our police officers are doing amazing work," he said. "We’ve repurposed existing grants, acquired new funding, and invested over half a million dollars to expand this technology. These innovative measures have built a foundation we can scale further."

Kasmar acknowledged the ongoing challenge of addressing reckless behaviors, many of which stem from spontaneous, late-night events tied to larger social issues, like the lack of parental oversight.

"We’re at 82 traffic fatalities this year, including 29 pedestrian deaths,” he said. “Still far too many.”

City leaders continue to advocate for solutions that extend beyond technology, with Councilperson Lane Santa Cruz stressing the importance of collaborating with schools and community partners to engage youth and gain a deeper understanding of the motivations behind reckless behaviors.

Mayor Regina Romero echoed the need for better education and said that expanding after-school programs should also be part of the approach to addressing the issue.

Public Safety Communications Director Sharon McDonough stressed the importance of the role the communications center plays not just in detecting street racing, but also in supporting election security. She said the center has been key in coordinating real-time communication between departments, ensuring public safety during high-stakes events. 

McDonough told council members that the city’s ability to connect and relay information quickly has earned recognition from federal agencies. She said FBI agents and Secret Service officials were particularly impressed by the city's operations, calling it "the most seamless operation they had seen across the country." 

This technology has not only been crucial for law enforcement, but also for ensuring the safety of political figures and voters during election season.

McDonough said the city is reorganizing the IT department to better support public safety initiatives, ensuring readiness for the potential growth of this program. 

“We’re preparing for the scale of investment required should Proposition 414 move forward,” said McDonough.

Through Prop 414, the city is asking voters to approve a half-cent sales tax increase for the next 10 years “to fund a safer and more vibrant Tucson,” according to the proposition’s website. The Safe and Vibrant City campaign would generate $800 million over 10 years, with the city’s sales tax rate increasing to 3.1%.

While financial considerations aren’t currently a barrier to expanding Tucson's street enforcement technology, legal requirements tied to Proposition 201 remain a key factor. 

Prop 201, passed by voters in 2015, established a city code that requires that photo enforcement include an on-site eyewitness to testify in court about any violations, meaning a police officer or enforcement agent must be present to monitor the equipment in action.

Kasmar noted the ongoing challenges, but expressed optimism about scaling up the initiative with additional funding, particularly through Prop. 414, state grants, and federal funding opportunities.

"We've built a foundation now that we can scale," he said.

Angelina Maynes is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and reporter with Tucson Spotlight. Contact her at angelinamaynes@arizona.edu.

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