Kaasp you seem to grasp very well that street racing is illegal, the point that you appear to be missing is that under Florida statues it is also illegal to be a spectator at such an event. In fact here is the exact law.



316.191 Racing on highways.--
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) "Conviction" means a determination of guilt that is the result of a plea or trial, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld.
(b) "Drag race" means the operation of two or more motor vehicles from a point side by side at accelerating speeds in a competitive attempt to outdistance each other, or the operation of one or more motor vehicles over a common selected course, from the same point to the same point, for the purpose of comparing the relative speeds or power of acceleration of such motor vehicle or motor vehicles within a certain distance or time limit.
(c) "Racing" means the use of one or more motor vehicles in an attempt to outgain or outdistance another motor vehicle, to prevent another motor vehicle from passing, to arrive at a given destination ahead of another motor vehicle or motor vehicles, or to test the physical stamina or endurance of drivers over long-distance driving routes.
(d) "Spectator" means any person who is knowingly present at and views a drag race, when such presence is the result of an affirmative choice to attend or participate in the race. For purposes of determining whether or not an individual is a spectator, finders of fact shall consider the relationship between the racer and the individual, evidence of gambling or betting on the outcome of the race, and any other factor that would tend to show knowing attendance or participation.
(2)(a) A person may not:
1. Drive any motor vehicle, including any motorcycle, in any race, speed competition or contest, drag race or acceleration contest, test of physical endurance, or exhibition of speed or acceleration or for the purpose of making a speed record on any highway, roadway, or parking lot;
2. In any manner participate in, coordinate, facilitate, or collect moneys at any location for any such race, competition, contest, test, or exhibition;
3. Knowingly ride as a passenger in any such race, competition, contest, test, or exhibition; or 4. Purposefully cause the movement of traffic to slow or stop for any such race, competition, contest, test, or exhibition.

Your comparison of crime occuring at the mall vs attending/particpating in a street race event is wrong for a very simple reason. When you attend a street racing event you are knowingly violating the law. On the other hand when you go to the mall there is no guarantee that someone will violate the law.

drewbroo...glad that you were able to get out of the tickest...especially if your circumstance is, as you describe, a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Cops aren't omniscient folks. There job is to enforce the law and protect the innocent. Most nights every officer on the force is so busy responding to 911 calls that they don't have time to even contemplate harrassing a person not violating the law. That doesn't mean that every officer is a nice guy it doesn't mean there all pricks either. What it means is that if your doing nothing wrong then you usually have nothing to worry about (most of the time). Dont get mad at the cop when he/she writes you a ticket for violating the law, its not there fault you couldn't remain within societies definition of legal behavior.