Did you call the police?

I don't run with my cell phone, so I did not. Even if I did, would there be a timely response? I've never called in this kind of thing before.

Problem is, by the time you report it and the NHPD responds, the dirt bikers are speeding on to terrorize another part of the city. You have to assist the police by getting more detailed descriptions, times, dates and photos so they can make cases against individuals.

I'm under the impression that New Haven police has a policy of not chasing dirt bikes, due to a high profile case years ago where a minor killed himself trying to flee police on a dirt bike. And that's the main problem here. What are the police really going to accomplish if they manage to chase down one dirt bike out of a dozen in a group? The riders are often minors, and it seems like they don't even have a policy of impounding the vehicles, even though they're illegally operated on city streets and inside parks.

Shouldn't they (the police) be running into these bikes while on patrol?

Shouldn't they (the police) be running into these bikes while on patrol?

There was an article several weeks ago in the New Haven Independent which outlines the basic hypocrisy of these dirt bikers. NHPD are not allowed to chase after them, for safety reasons, yet when a dirt biker was asked about a little child who was run down by one of the dirt bikers, the biker responded "Accidents happen." !!!

I live with ATV'S ,dirt bikes, street bikes and gunning engines 7 days a week for ten years now. I call the police every single freakin day. These inconsiderate punks have police scanners, they are punks in every sense of the word. These people work on cars all day in a garage on 80 Clifton Street, which is illegal due to improper drainage into the sewer system of my street. all the oils and gas pollution is running into the river. I not only see this as a police problem but a zoning problem.
The police could make this harder for them by checking all the plates on the cars that hang there. I would bet half are not registered. I listened sick in bed this week to more noise than a construction crew . Why do I have to put up with this crap, These kids have been busted over and over again, so blame the court system. And the new chief whoever you are, who dosen't answer phone calls, who allows his men to be tortured by us, needs to figure out what the hell to do with these animals who laugh in or face and say "we can ride where we want". Yelling at kids for riding in the woods behind Bishop Woods School is a joke, they have been up there for 49 yrs, they are not on the street causing havoc. I watch people swerve everyday from these punks on Clifton Street, they are also selling drugs out of there too.. cecilia proto

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--room should be packed, 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, 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

I am closing dirt bike/ATV complaints that pre-date the conclusion of the police undercover operation (see www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/9_arrested_in_dirt_bike_sting/). I do not expect the dirt bike/ATV issue to be completely solved, but it will be helpful to policing efforts to distinguish new reports from those before last month's operation. The operation was not a one-off effort to address this issue, and information reported in new issues is helpful.

Please open up new SCF issues as dirt bike/ATV issues re-occur.

- Rob Smuts, Chief Administrative Officer