Police to Employ Traffic Cameras, Helicopters Against Street Racing

Nine days after a car plowed into a group of people watching an illegal street race in Accokeek, law enforcement officials said yesterday that they plan to use traffic cameras and helicopters to monitor popular street racing spots to prevent such accidents.

At a news conference at Prince George's County police headquarters in Landover, Chief Melvin C. High called the Feb. 16 accident "a senseless loss of life." He said his department has made it a priority to curtail street racing.

Seven people died just after 3 a.m. when a white Crown Victoria sedan driven by Darren Jamar Bullock, 20, of Waldorf hit spectators standing in the roadway and shoulder along Indian Head Highway near Pine Drive. An eighth man later died, and seven others, including a 15-year-old boy, were injured.

Police said Bullock, who was not involved in the race, was given a field sobriety test, which gave no indication that he had been drinking. Police also said they have determined how fast Bullock's car was going, but they declined to release that information.

Maj. Kevin Putnam, who is overseeing the investigation, said police have interviewed about 20 of the 200 spectators estimated to have been at the race because spectators have hesitated to come forward for fear that they will be prosecuted. Putnam asked witnesses and anyone else with information to come forward to help police get a "clear and accurate picture" of what happened, although he pointed out that immunity against prosecution has not been offered.

Police said the results of the investigation will be turned over to Prince George's State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey, whose office will decide whether to file charges.

County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) issued a plea to county residents to stop participating in illegal street racing. He named Route 450, Central Avenue, Route 301 and Indian Head Highway as race sites. Johnson said he understands the "culture" of street racing from his days growing up in South Carolina. But the practice, he said, "creates a risk of harm to citizens."

Police would not say how many cameras would be used. After the news conference, Vernon Herron, county director of public safety, said the state has 180 cameras in the county and the police department has access to 10. The cameras are used by the Department of Public Works to monitor road conditions during bad weather.

Johnson said Public Works will be asked to monitor the cameras for evidence of street racing and to report its findings to police.

Police said helicopters would enable officers to respond quickly to reports of illegal racing.

Officials said officials from Charles County, the Maryland State Police and other agencies will work with Prince George's to try to control street racing.