SAN JOSE, California. – San Jose city leaders said Thursday that a recent city ordinance that prohibits promoting or observing or participating in sideshows paid dividends.

“They can no longer hide the masterminds of this illegal activity behind their Instagram accounts without fear of consequences,” said department head Paul Joseph.

The new chief flashed those consequences on a large video screen during a press conference Thursday afternoon. It showed seven out of nine suspects from San Jose, Salinas, Sunnyvaleand Oaklandwho were charged with violating the city’s 2022 law prohibiting the promotion or holding of sideshows.

Two suspects are still wanted in what police have called “Operation Penalty Box.” This name is due to the fact that the nine-member team called itself the “Hockey Team”.

“It shows that it damaged and stretched police resources, that it meant longer 911 response times,” he said Mayor Matt Mahan.

Investigators said “The Hockey Team” used social media to organize and promote 22 sideshows since 2020. During those illegal events, six pedestrians were injured, two police officers were assaultedand eight police vehicles were vandalized.

“San Jose is truly a model and leading the way in how communities can respond to the secondary epidemic,” said SJPD’s Joseph.

The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office said a grand jury last month indicted the nine on conspiracy charges, clearing the way for their arrest.

“These nine individuals created a culture of lawlessness that encouraged these sideshows to blossom into events that lasted all night and sometimes the day,” said Jay Boyarsky, Santa Clara County chief assistant district attorney.

Officials said these arrests will hurt the desire to promote sideshows. They also warned that constant surveillance and vigilance will sooner or later bring down anyone who organizes or participates in sideshows.

“San Jose is truly a model and leading the way in how communities can respond to secondary epidemics,” Joseph said.

The seven suspects arrested so far are charged with various crimes, including violating the city’s ordinance against promoting or viewing sideshows. Officials with the district attorney’s office said a preliminary hearing was not needed because all were indicted by a grand jury.

The next step is for the seven arrested to enter pleas, with the DA’s office ultimately indicating they will try this as one case, not nine separate cases.

If you have information about the two who are still at large, call San Jose police.

Jesse Gary is a reporter in the station’s South Bay bureau. Follow him on Instagram, @jessegontv and on Facebook, @JesseKTVU