Los Angeles Law Enforcement Supports Safe Motorcycle Racing
October 27, 2009
Motorcycle street racing is very dangerous and Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff Mike Churney realized that more needed to be done than writing speeding tickets. As more young adults started buying and riding sport bikes in LA County, he knew illegal racing would become an increasing problem.
The Team Sheriff Racing Program was formed in 1993 in an effort to curb illegal street racing. This program has been effective in taking street racing off the street and onto the track. The program features community outreach to inform area youth about the dangers of street racing. Their “Beat the Heat” initiative allowed racers to pit their skills again LA County Sheriff Racers in a drag racing environment.
Deputy Sheriff Churney realized that this program needed to add a motorcycle division. The division was formed in 2003 with Churney is the Team Co-Captain and the Deputy in Charge.
As an officer sworn to protect and serve, Churney wanted to become a positive influence within the motorcycle community. Understanding that law enforcement is mainly seen as a nuisance among street racers, Churney wanted to change that impression through a new approach.
Just like the automobile program, Deputy Sheriff Churney goes to community events and schools to share with young adults the dangers of street racing along with the positive aspects of racing in a controlled environment. At these events, Churney and others show off their race bikes and discuss safe and positive riding activities. This portion of the Team Sheriff Racing Program is sponsored by American Honda Motor Company and Freddie Spencer’s High Performance Riding School.
The program is not just about motorcycle racing. Deputy Sheriff Churney uses this platform to also talk to young adults and children about the dangers of guns and gang violence. He also races his 2004 Honda CBR 600RR in Formula USA CCS competition.
The Team Sheriff Racing Program is completely voluntarily and none of the program participants’ receive compensation. While Deputy Sheriff Churney received racing training from Freddie Spencer’s High Performance Riding School at no cost, the time he takes to educate the public about motorcycle racing is on his own time. Through his efforts, the Team Sheriff Racing Program helps to keep motorcycle racing where it belongs; on the track.
Posted Under: Motorcycle Safety, Uncategorized Tags: motorcycle community, motorcycle racing, motorcycle riders, Motorcycle street racing, sport bikes
Reader Comments
Deputy Mike Chumey came up with a great idea. I wish Florida would do this. There has been so many problems with racing and stunting on the highway that they passed the hb137 law which doing 50mph over, stunting and tag improperly mounted was $1000 first offense, 2nd offense $2500, and 3rd offense was a felony and $5000. This would be cool for Florida Sheriffs to implement or anywhere for that matter. Has anyone done a poll to show the statistics of implementing this as to dropping the illegal racing.