It starts with a posting on social media.

The instructions read like this: Gather in the Orchard Valley parking lot on a specific day and time.

Once there, those gathered will travel to another location to participate in — and view — the staging of an illegal sideshow.

More often than not, the location is outside of Manteca.

And while Manteca has had a handful of smaller events that have broken up before police arrived,  city officials intend to take steps to make sure the larger endeavors don’t take root here.

It is the rationale behind a proposed ordinance before the Manteca City Council when they meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Civic Center, 1001 W. Center St.

While sideshows are already illegal with the drivers facing punishment if caught, Manteca is taking steps that could effectively reduce the chance of them happening within the city by going after spectators and promoters as well.

The proposed ordinance would subject spectators at sideshows as well as anyone promoting them on social media to fines of up to $1,000.

Manteca Interim  Police Chief Stephen Schluer said often times when police arrive at a side show, most participating drivers have already fled. That is not true for spectators.

“There are often a number of people still hanging around,” Schluer said.

By being able to detain and cite such individuals as well as social media promoters and organizers, Schluer believes the city can  reduce the prospect of such shows happening within the city limits.

“It gives us another tool in the toolbox,” Schluer said.

The police department participates in an inter-agency effort to crackdown on sideshows that are being promoted. Smaller ones have happened in Manteca but not the large scale ones that have become extremely problematic in cities such as Stockton — at least not yet.

It does not mean attention isn’t going to stay focused on the drivers at such events.

Manteca police called to assist in nearby cities have helped with the arrests of drivers and the impounding of their vehicles.

They also during the course of a year issue citations for exhibition of speed and even impound vehicles.

Exhibition of speed runs the gamut from substantially exceeding the speed limits to spinning donuts in intersections.

State law provides harsher punishments for people who participate in sideshows. It allows courts to issue driver’s license suspensions up to six months for those who participate in t sideshows, which include burnouts, stunts, engine revving and other moves that lead to street racing.

The tactic of pursuing spectators that attend sideshows has been used by other cities including Turlock.

Schluer said it takes away one of the reasons why sideshows take place — the ability for drivers to show off in front of a crowd.

“If there are less spectators, there is a less of a chance for a sideshow (to take place)” Schuler said.

Manteca Police routinely monitor social media for advertising of sideshows.

Those that have met so far in Manteca have then traveled to locations outside of the city to stage illegal sideshows.

Sideshows draw participants and spectators from across the state including the Bay Area, Sacramento, Central and Southern California.

Schluer noted the events often result in damage to city streets, vehicle collisions, vehicle pursuits, injuries and, at times, fatalities.

Arrests at these events often result in illegal firearm seizures and vehicle impounds.

 On New Year’s Eve, a homicide occurred in the City of Turlock. The homicide was attributed to a sideshow event in that city.

Six years ago, the Manteca Police Department joined count-wide efforts to deal with this growing trend.

The San Joaquin County Sideshow Task Force was formed and agreements with participating agencies were put into effect. Due to the large number of police personnel required to effectively address this issue, participating agencies regularly commit officers and vehicles to areas where Sideshow activity is expected on a given date.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email, dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com