Street racing has been a growing epidemic across Dallas, especially during COVID-19, most recently hitting downtown's Central Business District. Now authorities say they're going to crack down, starting ASAP.

According to a city of Dallas release, the Dallas Police Department (DPD) is collaborating with downtown Dallas' business partners to curtail street racing, beginning with an enforcement of the juvenile curfew and an accompanying increase in manpower.

They're also going to be shutting down lanes at midnight, so if you're driving through downtown or Deep Ellum, something to keep in mind.

Enforcement of the juvenile curfew ordinance will begin on Friday September 4 and will continue for the next three weeks, in these inner-city areas:

• Deep Ellum
• West End
• Farmers Market
• Uptown Dallas
• Victory Park
• Central Business District

These are all areas with very busy Facebook pages logging lots of complaints.

The ordinance applies to juveniles under the age of 17 who are in a public place from 12:01 am-6 am Friday and Saturday, and from 11 pm-6 am on Sunday.

Juveniles found in violation will be detained by officers until properly identified, then either released to a guardian or parent or transported to the Letot Center, a facility for runaway youth at 10505 Denton Dr.

Public Works and Transportation are coordinating street closures and traffic calming devices in speeding hot spots downtown. Street racers and spectators are subject to a citation, fine, and/or jail.

This is not the first time that authorities have vowed to get tough on street racing. Back in April, following a series of street racing incidents in Dallas that resulted in one death, the DPD said they would start arresting spectators as well as participants.