Sideshows break out in San Jose; police issue citations

SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Jose police broke up sideshows and wrote citations over the weekend. 

One sideshow was captured on video Sunday evening at Sierra Road and Flickinger Avenue.

When police arrived, it appears as though the crowds broke up. The video shows officers writing citations to some who watched or encouraged the activity.

In another instance near Alum Rock and White roads, a San Jose fire car stepped into the middle of a sideshow and blocked in the cars.

In the past, police said this is a tactic to arrest and cite people.

And at another sideshow at Old Almaden road and Curtner Avenue, San Jose police said they arrested three people for evading police and one person on a felony warrant. They also issued 21 spectator citations and impounded three vehicles. Tow fees can cost up to $4,000. 

"Sideshows have no business in San Jose," police tweeted. 

San Jose said they arrested three people for evading police and one person on a felony warrant. They also issued 21 spectator citations and impounded three vehicles. 

Recently, the city made it a crime to not only participate in sideshows but to watch, post on social media or invite people to come.

The crime is punishable with a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail.

Sideshows erupted in San Francisco and Oakland, too.

San Francisco police responded to a sideshow at 16th and Dolores outside a church in the Mission District.

And a ring of fire ignited and fireworks exploded during a sideshow at 5th and Adeline in West Oakland underneath Interstate 880.