HILLIARD, Ohio — Authorities launched an effort to crack down on street racers on the northwest portion of Interstate 270.
It's a sight and sound many who live near I-270 in the Hilliard and Dublin areas are experiencing frequently and it's putting many lives in danger.
Franklin County Sheriff Deputy Jim Gilbert said street racing is a very dangerous and criminal activity.
"We have had instances in the past where we have gone out and investigated and we have had hit-skip related accidents where both parties involved and/or witnesses involved say I saw that car miles back driving really recklessly,” Gilbert said.
Law enforcement is now hitting the brakes on those illegal street racers.
“One of our deputies was on a stop Friday night in this target area and while impounding and waiting for a wrecker to get there, one vehicle went by at over 130 miles per hour,” Gilbert said.
An operation, led by the Hilliard Division of Police, is targeting the freeway on certain days and times when they know the illegal street racers are going to be out.
“A lot of people are live streaming or they are taping and placing on YouTube that they are engaging in this very dangerous and criminal activity. It is criminal activity to be operating at a high rate of speed on the freeways,” Gilbert said.
During Friday evening's operation, Hilliard police say authorities made 29 traffic stops and 21 citations. Hilliard police made nine of those stops and issued five tickets with a high speed of 108 mph. Dublin police made 12 of the stops and gave out five citations with a high speed of 98 mph.
“These individuals are engaging in criminal activity as they are doing this. A lot of them are carrying firearms, a lot of these vehicles are stolen,” Gilbert said.
They also used the Columbus Police helicopter and Ohio State Highway Patrol airplane to track racers who were going too fast for patrol cars to follow.
“We have had individuals that we have taken into custody that said I thought I could get away because normally I run,” Gilbert said.
These joint operations will happen throughout the summer.