Q: Have you heard tales of late-night racing in West San Jose?
Natalie DiLisio, San Jose
A: Yes. Some of the stories are very frightening.
Q: Last Sunday, I dropped my sister off at her apartment in Campbell. As I drove home on Campbell Avenue, about two dozen cars were headed the opposite direction. I was in the left-hand lane when I saw headlights directly in front of me. Multiple cars were using my lane to pass others! I quickly moved into the right lane, but it was scary. All of the cars were small sedans.
Good thing that salons are now open so that I can get rid of these new gray hairs.
Natalie DiLisio
A: The complaints keep roaring in.
Q: These illegal sideshows are really starting to tick me off. Why can’t police control them? These are stupid people risking people’s lives and property. Take that crap somewhere where there are no homes and people around.
Haley Bloom
A: And there’s more frustration with sideshows …
Q: Last Sunday around 11:10 p.m. near my house, I heard squealing tires, gunning engines, speeding and quick turns, sounds which filled the neighborhood for at least 30 minutes. I did not call 911 because I imagined, incorrectly, that the loud noise would quickly go away on its own.
When after 11:30 it had not yet stopped, I considered calling 911. I still thought it would be over soon, but it was not.
Finally, after I heard police sirens, the show seemed to stop, or at least it moved somewhere else.
What is the appropriate thing to do when confronted with the sounds of speeding cars, squealing tires and gunning engines late at night? Call 911? Let it go and wait until it’s over?
Mike Richter, San Jose
A: Call 911. Drivers and spectators at sideshows have sometimes been injured or killed. Gunshots have sometimes been fired between cars. And many residents in areas around these illegal gatherings have been terrified.
Q: I wasn’t sure whether to renew my driver’s license online for a regular license, or go in person for a REAL ID, take my mask off and risk exposure to COVID-19. I flipped a coin and decided to go in. I went to the Fremont DMV. Spacing was decent and the staff were all wearing masks or shields.
Now for the important part of removing my mask. I held my breath while the photo was taken, the downside being that I now have to live with a “funny face” for the next five years on my ID.
Upendra Brahme, Fremont
A: We need a smile these days, and your story about a “funny face” photo for five years provided one, thanks.
Join Gary Richards for an hourlong chat noon Wednesday at www.mercurynews.com/live-chats. Look for Gary at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com or 408-920-5335
