And Elm Street behind Stop and Shop/Autozone - a green dirtbike with the #10 on the side.

Dirt Bike AND motorcycles are even more of a problem since the roundabout was built to slow down traffic on West Park Avenue. Hubinger Street is used as a drive through from Whalley Avenue to the park now.. We need SPEED BUMPS on Hubinger Street!!!!!!!!

my wife and I were driving Sat 723 and 3 blacks on dirt bikes weaved in and out of traffic jumping sidwalks etc. We stopped a cop and he called it in but did not seem to want to chase them.

Also seen racing up and down Ella Grasso Blvd. and on the side streets (Dyer, Colony, Ellsworth Ave. on 7/31.

This is happening now almost every evening around 5-6 pm. It's obvious that the Police can't do anything about it.

Is this really happening every evening? Please call this in to the NHPD and Aldermen every time you see it. The police often will do a sting if they constantly hear from neighbors about problems like this, and calls for service do help determine police patrol locations. The police shut down some dirt bikes in the Dixwell neighborhood after a couple of my neighbors all called them in simultaneously at 9PM a few weeks ago.

Good to hear the police were responsive. Today 2 males on dirt bikes were racing up and down Ellsworth Ave between Dyer and Crescent at 3:00 pm. I have hesitated to call the police fearing that it was a lost cause and they would ignore the situation.

New Haven Coalition to Stop Illegal Traffic

The New Haven Coalition to STOP ILLEGAL TRAFFIC (SIT) on our streets had its second meeting on Sept. 18. Alderman Justin Elicker reported that since our meeting last month, the city has started a concerted effort to address the issue of dangerous and illegal use of dirt bikes, all terrain vehicles, and other illegal motorized vehicles on our streets. Currently, police do not have the authority to seize and hold illegally operated motorized bikes and ATVs. Therefore, violators can reclaim impounded vehicles shortly after being caught by paying a small fine to the towing company.
On September 18, 2012, SIT members decided that the quickest way to make our streets safer is to rally the community in support empowering the city to take more aggressive actions against illegally operated dirt bikes and ATVs.

What the city is doing:
1. The Corporation Counsel (the lawyer for the city) has been directed to explore the legality of the city taking possession of non-registered dirt bikes, atvs, etc. that have been operated illegally and destroying them. Other enforcement ordinances are also being explored.
2. The City is in conversation with state legislators about state-level action.

What Coalition members and supporters are being asked to do:
a. Call the Office of the Mayor (203)946-8200 and tell the Mayor that you are concerned about this issue and that you want results by next summer 2013.
or
b. Write to the Mayor at MayorDestefano@newhavenct.net. You may want to include the following points:
“I am a concerned citizen who is frustrated by the increase in use of illegally operated dirt bikes and ATVs on New Haven streets, inside New Haven Parks, and near playgrounds and other recreation areas. It is my understanding that the NHPD has a long standing no-chase policy, which I agree with given the chances that a chase could result in injury of an innocent bystander. However, more needs to be done. I support the city’s effort to create policies that will eliminate the reckless behavior before someone else is killed. We’ve had many close calls already in 2012; a little girl was hit by a dirt biker while waiting at a bus stop with her dad, and a dirt biker himself suffered life-threatening injuries after losing control of an unregistered illegally operated dirt bike. Please, do what is necessary. You have my support!"

Tired of this issue? Then show your support this Tuesday 11/13 @ 6 p.m., all should attend, no excuses! If not you, and us, then who? Tell everyone you know and bring them along if needed--lets pack the room, this may be our only chance for this type of City-wide meeting. Please distribute widely.

via Alderman Justin Elicker:
"There will be a public hearing on the dirt bike ATV issue Tuesday, 11/13 at 6pm in Board of Aldermen Chambers at City Hall. It's an opportunity for people to express their concerns about the dirt bike issue and for the City to talk about what we plan on doing. Could you all help get the word out?"

Sick and tired of the unregistered, uninsured, often unlicensed, vroomm-vroomm-vrooomm? Then sign the petition! http://www.change.org/petitions/state-of-connecticut-general-assembly-new-haven-office-of-the-mayor-stop-the-use-of-illegally-operated-vehicles-on-new-haven-streets-and-parks

They go through here just about every day, and often roll into the park (across Edgewood) to cause havoc there.

Just wait another couple of weeks