MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- As protesters marched on City Hall Friday, Sept. 5, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and other community leaders were inside discussing solutions to so-called "street takeovers."

The dangerous gatherings disrupt traffic and drain police resources. We've seen videos of cars and large groups taking over intersections at night to do donuts and burnouts while others watch, garnering social media attention. 

Friday morning, Mayor Johnson warned this has to stop before someone gets hurt. And it's not just Milwaukee. Mayor Johnson said street takeovers have been popularized in other cities and communities across the country and he's been talking with other mayors about how to crack down. 

Milwaukee police have been beefing up their response to takeovers and gaining more intelligence about them. Milwaukee County District Attorney Kent Lovern said he's committed to prosecuting those arrested in connection. 

The Milwaukee Public Works Department is also considering redesigning some intersections to prevent this activity -- something Mayor Johnson says has been done in other cities. 

The takeovers are often pop-ups and not planned in advance. 

Milwaukee Police Department Chief Jeffrey Norman and Mayor Johnson stressed it's especially important that people call 911 if they see or hear a street takeover happening. 

"Somebody's going to end up getting hurt," Mayor Johnson said. "Somebody's going to end up dying from this sort of activity, and I don't want that to be your child. I don't want that to be your niece, your nephew, some person you care about. So please, do your part as well and discourage this sort of behavior." 

Ahead of the summer, Mayor Johnson endorsed an ordinance change to increase penalties to $500 citations for anyone participating in street takeovers but that proposal has stalled in the Milwaukee Common Council. 

Public Safety Chairman Alderman Scott Spiker said they are going to continue conversations about it and want to make sure consequences are effective.