Polensek Demands More Aggressive Approach to Fighting Street Takeovers—“I’m done with this”

Aug 11, 2026

 

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Today, Cleveland City Council Safety Committee Chair Mike Polensek called on Mayor Justin Bibb, Safety Director Wayne Drummond, and Police Chief Dorothy Todd to take decisive action to pursue and prosecute those responsible for the street takeovers that have plagued Cleveland residents and businesses alike.  

“We need to hold every one of these individuals accountable for what they are doing on our streets,” Councilman Polensek said. “They’re bringing chaos right up to people’s front doors. Last month, one of these groups shot into a shelter for babies. They’re dangerous and have to be identified.”  

"On Saturday, August 8th, a resident of Neff Road near E. 185th Street counted 133 of these illegal vehicles," Polensek said. "Then on Sunday, August 9th, they came back again and terrorized residents, businesses, and those businesses' customers. These gangs of 'urban terrorists' roamed the city from east side to west side for two days in a row. This is ridiculous.”

An August 10th press release from the Cleveland Division of Police indicated that it had advance warning that people from Baltimore were planning street takeovers in Cleveland and outlined the steps they took to prevent it and what they accomplished. Results from their efforts included:

  • Seven people arrested
  • Multiple uniform traffic tickets issued
  • Eight vehicles towed
  • Four dirt bikes/ATVs towed, including one reported stolen
  • Three handguns recovered, including one with an extended magazine
  • Drone equipment, a camera, and a laptop recovered

“I appreciate what CDP officers attempted to do this weekend,” Polensek said. “However, it just wasn’t enough to stop the chaos on our city streets.”  

“If you want to know why anyone would drive more than 375 miles from Baltimore, Maryland, to take over Cleveland’s streets, here’s your answer. You can, for the most part, and get away with it.”  

Polensek confirmed that CPD helicopters helped officers on the ground monitor the illegal riders. “Officers knew where they were and where they were traveling. However, they lacked a coordinated plan to corral them and make far more arrests,” he said.  

This left Polensek and residents especially frustrated. “City Council passed a set of ordinances to give the police the tools to fight these takeovers. Furthermore, for example, it’s now unlawful in Cleveland for a gas station to provide fuel to people who are participating in street takeovers. The police knew where the group was the whole time and knew where they were getting their gas. Enforcing this law and taking away their ability to tank up could really make a difference.”  

“If the police need more help, then tell us what they need,” Polensek said. “But the administration and CPD must get far more aggressive. We need to send a clear signal that trying to take over Cleveland streets isn’t worth the trouble, because we will take your ATV and your dirt bike, tow your vehicle, and send you to jail. End of story.”