Description
We live in Fairhaven, one of the city's most attractive neighborhoods. But weekend after weekend, the beauty of the place is ruined by motorbikes, roaring up and down Front St and Quinnipiac Avenue destroying the atmosphere. They create a serious traffic danger. Can nothing be done to curtail this anti-social behaviour?
77 Comments
RETDMD9 (Registered User)
Jimmy (Guest)
Fairhaven Dave (Registered User)
Amen. BUT,
The police refuse to chase them because it "is too dangerous". I can't wait to see what happens when they figure out stopping bank robberies, breaking up domestic disputes, etc... are dangerous as well. They expect people to turn in people where they store the bikes. (ha ha ha)
You should vote on the other threads about this in The Heights too. Can't hurt.
Jimmy (Guest)
NewHavenJude (Registered User)
Quinnipiac Ave (Registered User)
RETDMD9 (Registered User)
Jimmy (Guest)
I actually think the cops do an excellent job in New Haven given the tools that are at their expense.
RETDMD9 (Registered User)
H. P. (Registered User)
H. P. (Registered User)
Fairhaven Dave (Registered User)
Dungeon Master Duke 9,
My "negativity of the police" stems from lost sleep due to noise and irritation from investing in a community where my children can't play safely on the front lawn without chain link fencing.
Perhaps I grew up in an unenlightened community. But crap like this was not tolerated. If someone rode their dirt bike in a residential area, the police chased them down, they were fined heavily, and the dirt bike went to the scrapyard. Any damages caused by chasing them down were the responsibility of the pursued. The community backed this policy. The media backed this policy. And if the idiot riding the dirt-bike was 10 years old, the parents went down with him/her.
I don't envy the police their job in this city, trust me. I've seen the Jerry Springer crap they are forced to waste two thirds of the day dealing with. They have cameras pointed at them constantly, an uber liberal media scrutiny, and hundreds of civil rights groups ready to sue. Honestly, I got no beef with the NHPD, NOT a fun job. But their policy on this subject is not going to work. Most of these dirt bikes are stored in zones with "snitches get stitches" mentalities. People truck bikes to the other side of town to raise hell. And plausible denial is going to negate a HUGE number of the few accusations that arise.
In short, don't expect Neosporin is going to reattach a finger.
Lexington Ave (Registered User)
I dont believe DMD9, sorry pal. If you are a cop explain why these seizures wouldnt be made public, I'm SURE the NHPD could use some good publicity eh? If you are a cop maybe you could also explain why every city dept. logs on to seeclickfix as a rep. of the dept. they work for but cops dont(or do they?).
BTW I have been home for 2 hours and I have heard 3 Harleys come down my street at full rev, werent the east shore cops supposed to do something about that LAST YEAR or is that only in Morris Cove? Maybe it was just BS and I'm a sucker to believe anything king john says?
I saw a truck of white boys unloading dirt bikes at Clifton and Summit last week. I also predicted this would happen. No I didnt call the #... LOL, been there, done that too many times. telling the sarge where they frequently park on friday and sat nights did absolutely no good either.
NewHavenJude (Registered User)
Fairhaven Dave (Registered User)
Well said , Lexington Ave! Seriously, DMD9, I know so far you have only "implied" you are a police officer, but they still frown on impersonators, clever subtext or otherwise. So if you are in law enforcement and you want to cheerlead for your co-workers, post your photo, and come out of the "online anonymity closet" so we can take you seriously.
And if you are NOT a police officer. Tsk tsk... I know you are not flashing a fake badge or anything like that, but still, poor form. Those guys risk their lives out there and we can't have fakers undermining credibility. You could get some good men killed or at the very least ruin reputations with stunts like this.
fairhavener (Guest)
RETDMD9 (Registered User)
NewHavenJude (Registered User)
Quietly On Q-Ave. (Registered User)
Lexington Ave (Registered User)
RETDMD9 (Registered User)
LCI Citywide Helper (Verified Official)
People try to say the same thing about LCI....we always call back if you leave a telephone number!
If the community gives us info we take action.
Thanks for the update Sgt. A !
Lexington Ave (Registered User)
RETDMD9 (Registered User)
Residents Unite (Guest)
NewHavenJude (Registered User)
MBS (Guest)
FairHavenRes (Registered User)
Fairhaven Dave (Registered User)
"not to bad compared to what others in this city have to deal with"
Wow. I did not realize we had become one of the Westvilles of New Haven. This bodes very well for my property value. Next thing you know we will have people buying homes again!
Jude, Residents, Lexington, - I'm in. No red berets though. I think I know who two of you are. Will be in touch. I'm off this thread. Amusing, but a total waste of time.
Quietly On Q-Ave. (Registered User)
FairHavenRes (Registered User)
I'm definitely interested in a meeting of some sort, if someone can post the info here when it's available.
In related news I walked past the mechanic eyesore @ 515 East St at 6:00 pm this evening. A number of kids and a very familiar looking red and white dirt bike were inside the shop. This is on the corner of East St & Humphrey St; see Vision Appraisal pic here:
http://data.visionappraisal.com/photos/NewHavenCTPhotos//00/04/47/84.JPG
cecilia proto (Guest)
Cecilia Proto
RETDMD9 (Registered User)
Jimmy (Guest)
H. P. (Registered User)
H. P. (Registered User)
H. P. (Registered User)
H. P. (Registered User)
Lexington Ave (Registered User)
Lexington Ave (Registered User)
H. P. (Registered User)
Lexington Ave (Registered User)
Lexington Ave (Registered User)
11:55 PM Harley with debaffled pipes drove down lexington ave trying to make as much noise as possible. he set off about 5 car alarms and I continued to hear him as he probably went to Foxon, then turned around and came back at 11:59 pm. All of the car alarms went off AGAIN and anyone who wasnt awakened by the first drive by certainly was after the second drive by.
How many busts did the East Shore cops do last year after their PROMISE to crack down on these jerks?
LCI Citywide Helper (Verified Official)
Keep up the good work.
Thanks for staying on top of this quality of life issue!
Thank you residents and NHPD!!!!!
cecilia proto (Guest)
This problem has to be addressed in legislature and the court system, these cops got murders going on. did I hear one suggestion from anyone that you think that would fix this problem. I tell these kids everyday, I am calling the police, if I coulkd I would run them the hell off the road, Vinnie will vouch for that. suggestions folks, what do you expect the police to do, when they are caught, arrested and back on the street the next day. Hey you that said vinnie is a fake cop,what do you have to say. cecilia proto clifton st
Darwin Award winner (Guest)
lexington ave (Guest)
LCI Citywide Helper (Verified Official)
Cecilia,
Thanks for standing by City of New Haven personnel. LCI and the NHPD work hard to make the City a better place for all residents. We appreciate your comments and thank you for getting involved!
MBS (Guest)
NewHavenJude (Registered User)
Guest (Guest)
Were was the camera when my nephew had his phone stolen right in front of the house at 7:00, still light out. Or people driving down Quinnipiac at 50mph? Perhaps you could find where his home is and talked with me?
NewHavenJude (Registered User)
Youe son is your responsibility, as is allowing him to have one of these bikes. Most importantly, it is your responsibility to teach him to have consideration for others & to drive safely. It is hardly safe to speed on busy streets, without a helmet & doing "wheelies" over speed bumps. Also, just how are we supposed to find out where he lives? Now that you know about this, please do something about your son's behavior. While I agree that driving 50mph on Quinnipiac is awful as is the stealing of your nephew's cell phone, it doesn't change the fact that your son & others are affecting the quality of our lives & presenting a danger to himself and others.
Lexington Ave (Registered User)
those kids shouldnt have been riding down the middle of every street in the Heights mom. If they were indeed "pulled over" why was the EXTREMELY loud one with no muffler not cited for a noise violation? Too many murders to deal with in the East Shore district?
yeah, I'll start patting backs when I see a cop in the Heights taking radar, not out on Rt 1 where nobody lives and no children are playing AND when I hear how many noise violations have been passed out in the last year. or just ignore this post and pass the blame.
Sean (Registered User)
News flash to the mom of the one kid - your kid has been going max speed his bike can go up and down Quinnipiac, Front and Lexington. If it's 50mp then he's been doing 50.
I emailed our alderwoman (I live on Quinnipiac), no response. I just want to push our representatives to have a plan. It can be a legislative plan, they just need to be doing something about it rather than getting used to it. Has anyone talked with the community police officer for Fair Haven to make sure he sees these photos? Thanks to whoever took them.
NewHavenJude (Registered User)
Jimmy (Guest)
I back many of the members here on the complaints against your son and others like him who recklessly drive their dirt bikes in the heights neighborhood. Because of the lack of safety on their part the potential problem it will cause one day, is that one of these kids, maybe your son will be hit by one of the very same people you mention who recklessly drive down Quinnipiac at 50mph in a much larger vehicle.
I mention earlier that there needs to be a safe place for these kids to take their dirt bikes to avoid the dangers of the street. I also hope you won't be the the mother on the news who cries about traffic enforcement when you son is also at fault. While I see that you agree with the noise that it produces, I hope you are one of those mothers who tells their son to drive safely and not after an unreasonable time of night (sunset).
BB (Registered User)
H. P. (Registered User)
NewHavenJude (Registered User)
cecilia proto (Guest)
NewHavenJude (Registered User)
cecilia proto (Guest)
Lexington Ave (Registered User)
cecilia proto (Guest)
Lexington Ave (Registered User)
I know what I would do if I had one of their urban dirtbikes in my possession for 5 minutes.
So now we need multiple laws passed so the cops can do their job huh?
I'm not buying it.
I'm a firm believer in doing a job properly and it seems to me if the police have their hands tied (so they cant do their job) they are the ones who should be speaking up to the press/law makers. Passing the blame is not acceptable in any profession and that is what we have going here.
NewHavenJude (Registered User)
Lexington Ave (Registered User)
cops are leaving over money, they were sworn to protect and serve. "protect and serve their bank accounts" should be the new union motto . I wish my blue collar job payed 6 figures, I guess I should have stayed in criminal justice back in my college days...
BTW, I did not move to New Haven in 2007 this negative, the last city I lived in had awesome services and MUCH lower taxes. If the police were called on they showed up and even got out of their car and talked to people.
Lexington Ave (Registered User)
Most places in the country this would never happen Cecilia, it just so happens we live in a lawless town with ULTRA high taxes and REALLY poor govt services(strong unions though). I'm thinking we may just have to vote in a republican into office at some point in CT just to balance out the weighty bucket of turds we have running things.
At the same Shell station on Q and Foxon TODAY I witnessed a lady throw a bag of McDs garbage out her window only for it to get stuck under her car and dragged for at least 2 more blocks.
Andrushka (Registered User)
Hello All,
So if you’ve just about had enough with the dirt bikers, here’s a constructive way to funnel that frustration. Let’s write the aldermen and ask them to take action and give the city more tools to deal with the dirt bikes. Just cut and paste the following letter (make changes of course if you want) into the main body of your e mail and then cut and paste the following addresses into the address portion.
Unite against illegal use of dirt bikes and ATVs!
Here are the addresses and then the letter.
Ward1@newhavenct.net, Ward2@newhavenct.net, Ward3@newhavenct.net, Ward4@newhavenct.net, Ward5@newhavenct.net, Ward6@newhavenct.net, Ward7@newhavenct.net, Ward8@newhavenct.net, Ward9@newhavenct.net, Ward10@newhavenct.net, Ward11@newhavenct.net, Ward12@newhavenct.net, Ward13@newhavenct.net, Ward14@newhavenct.net, Ward15@newhavenct.net, Ward16@newhavenct.net, Ward17@newhavenct.net, Ward18@newhavenct.net, Ward19@newhavenct.net, Ward20@newhavenct.net, Ward21@newhavenct.net, Ward22@newhavenct.net, Ward23@newhavenct.net, Ward24@newhavenct.net, Ward25@newhavenct.net, Ward26@newhavenct.net, Ward27@newhavenct.net, Ward28@newhavenct.net, Ward29@newhavenct.net, Ward30@newhavenct.net
Dear Aldermen,
If you are not aware, the illegal use of dirt bikes and ATVs on the streets of New Haven has become a serious public safety and quality of life issue. Earlier this year, a 7 year old girl was run over by a dirt bike as she waited on the sidewalk. Illegal use of dirt bikes in New Haven leads to injuries for both operators and innocent bystander and loss of quality of life for those who live in the neighborhoods where the dirt bikes and ATVs choose to illegally ride.
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/domestic_incident_etc/
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/dirt_biker_pays_75._will_it_work/
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/ghost_busters_work_on_foot/
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/cops_help_us_nab_dirt_bikers/
There has been considerable frustration among those who live in all the neighborhoods of New Haven at the inability of the city to stop or lessen the illegal use of dirt bikes and ATVs.
http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/200986-dirt-bikes-everywhere
http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/195956-motorbike-noise-and-danger
http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/1862-illegal-use-of-dirt-bikes-and-atvs
http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/188072-pics-of-fair-haven-dirt-biker
http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/193787-dirt-bike-excessive-speeds
http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/192778-dirtbikes-riding-on-sidewalks
http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/192778-dirtbikes-riding-on-sidewalks
http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/4501-illegal-atv-s
http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/176551-dirt-bikes-racing-on-forbes-ave-during-rush-hour
New Haven is not the only city faced with the illegal and dangerous use of dirt bikes and ATVs . The residents of Baltimore, Philadelphia and Boston have also looked for sustainable solutions to the issue.
I urge you to consider ordinances similar to those implemented in those cities. For example, banning the sale of dirt bikes and ATVs within city limits. Banning the sale of duel to dirt bikes and ATVs within city limits. Banning the ownership of dirt bikes and ATVs that are not locked or securely maintained at the residence of the owner.
Sincerely,
cecilia proto (Guest)
Andrushka (Registered User)
Hey ClickFixers, time to start writing and e mailing the mayor’s office. Read below for details on the coalition to Stop Illegal Traffic (SIT)
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!"
Optional:
c. If you feel comfortable, go on www.SeeClickFix.org. Select a report of illegal dirt bike or ATV riding with multiple posts, and contribute your own comment. You have the option to comment anonymously on See, Click, Fix. If you comment anonymously you will be asked for an email address but it is not displayed with the comment.
Jane (Guest)
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!"
CT Livable Streets Campaign (Registered User)
Andrushka (Registered User)
Neighbor (Guest)
FairHavenRes (Registered User)
Closed City of New Haven (Verified Official)