Description
ATVS AND DIRTBIKES ALREADY!!!!! Just this past weekend, it was not yet the first day of spring, and a large cohort of dirty bikes did several loops through the city downtown. They most always fly north on York, east on Elm, then south on temple and west on Chapel. This is their root. I have lived downtown for ten years, and the warm weathe ris their harbinger. The police do nothing, but it is not adequate to say they have a no chase policy. There needs to be more thoughtful interdiction. They terrorized the city several springs and summers in a row. If downtown is all not on camera, can't we get a look at the miscreants? What will the city do this summer to ensure pedestrian safety?
11 Comments
Casey (Guest)
Nadine Horton (Registered User)
I feel your pain & frustration as the dirt bikes and ATVs disturb my neighborhood too and now that the weather is breaking, they will be back again. What I can say however is that even though the police have a no chase policy, the number of these vehicles in our area has been drastically reduced from previous years. Are they all completely gone, no, but if you make a note of where they hang out or tend to congregate, then an officer can be sent to that location to check them out and if they find where they are being stored they can obtain a search warrant and confiscate the vehicles.
We were just told at our management team meeting last week that the no chase policy is not going anywhere and the police, believe it or not, are just as frustrated as we residents are about these bikes. However if you know, or even think you have an idea about where they are being stored, you can reach out to Sgt, Karl Jacobson; his direct line is 203-946-6098, email kjacobson@newhavenct.net. If you prefer to remain anonymous, the tip line is 203-946-6298.
Good luck to all of us!
XYZ (Registered User)
It would be best to phone the police district manage and the police when you see it happening. The police may not monitor this site.
SchoolofForestry (Guest)
Nadine Horton (Registered User)
It's completely up to whoever is reporting an issue like this whether they want to use their real name or not; I've been using mine for quite some time now with no issue, but I've also been know to go outside when I see them riding down my street and take pictures and/or video and send to my police district manager. They are very familiar with me, but it is completely up to the person reporting the issue and their comfort level...
I would say that if you're uncomfortable or unsure, then use the anonymous tip line or send an email directly to Sgt. Jacobson, since XYZ is right in the sense that the PD do not really monitor this site. This needs to be addressed since there are a LOT of police issues reported here and SOMEONE should be paying attention, but this is the world we live in right now.
SchoolofForestry I hear, feel, and know your frustration all too well so I completely understand!
Andrushka (Registered User)
for those who are new to the issue, about 2 years ago, the state legislature, passed a law that allowed municipalities to raise the amount one must pay to reclaim a confiscated ATV or dirtbike. Previously, NHPD would track down the bikes, confiscate, and then return a week or so later in exchange for less than $100. Now, the cost to reclaim a confiscated bike is near $ 1000, effectively taking the bike off the street for good.
The strategy is only as effective as the intel NHPD has. Neighborhoods that report where bikes are stored will have less activity and neighborhoods that don't report will have more. Of course, one would hope that New Haven sub stations and foot patrols would have enough investigative skills to ferret out the location of the bikes, but they probably have bigger fish to fry on a day to day, hour to hour basis.
So, if you see a bike in a driveway, make note and call it in. That's the only way we get some peace and quiet around this city.
XYZ (Registered User)
To be fair the dirt bike problem has improved in recent years. Hopefully a major crackdown will happen soon which would send a message. The police should nip it in the bud.
Nadine Horton (Registered User)
Andrushka (Registered User)
SeeClickFix New Haven Nation, time to make some noise of our own. Spring has sprung and again dirtbikes are flying up and streets, through parks, and on sidewalks, terrorizing the city.
On April 28 (Thursday), give the mayor’s office (203 946-8200) to let her know that it’s time to track down the bikes and confiscate!! More calls equals more action and fewer dirtbikes on the streets!!
Andrushka (Registered User)
Κλειστό Manager of Operations, Process Improvement - Transportation, Traffic, & Parking (Verified Official)
For information on storage locations of ATVs and other illegal vehicles, please call (203)946-6098 (reports can be made anonymously). Community members are always welcome to notify their respective District Manager; however, it’s important that people don’t telephone their District Manager to report an incident which is currently taking place, but instead telephone the incident into the non-emergency line to have officers dispatched. We appreciate your concern and help in addressing this matter.