i understand your frustration-- i have called at least 4 times a week since the spring, and i have never seen a car dispatched, despite making it clear that riders are clearly doing LAPS and will likely return to the same intersection just seen in.

they often come up cold spring onto mitchell dr three or more times in a row, running the light and nearly missing pedestrians with regularity, right past a school and heavily used park areas.

I saw the bikes as well yesterday evening. This is a terribly frustrating issue that impacts quality of life and safety of neighborhoods around the city.

I'm working both with a handful of community leaders and with other aldermen and city officials to determine the best way to address the problem. You are right that increased police enforcement is a start. Although the police have a no-chase policy, it doesn't mean they should not respond and attempt to engage with the riders. We're also looking at potential legislative ways to address the problem and may have some options to give the police more tools to better enforce the law. I'll let you know as we progress.

Justin Elicker
Ward 10 Alderman
justin.elicker@gmail.com

Maybe they should start with signs.

I was on the Rock then too and also heard the cacophony!

I posted another incident on Friday at Front and Exchange - not only blatant disregard for public safety, but the drivers apppeared to be wearing white masks. This is not just a public nuisance, it is a threat to the safety of us all. We need an immediate response by the police and city administration with a plan to end this epidemic of the defiance of our laws. My suggestion is that anyone identified as the driver of an illegal bike -- or any bike driving in a way that breaks the law -- will know that they will be identified, and the bike will be confiscated and destroyed. And if they do not have a license, they will not be allowed to have the privilege of getting a license until age 21.

A police cruiser arrived to intervene around 6PM. Most of the riders had departed by then, but a handful remained. Glad that the NHPD is taking notice!

Hey ClickFixers, time to start calling and emailing 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!"

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?"

This issue was recategorized from Other to Policing Issue.

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

I will be 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 this recent operation.

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

- Rob Smuts, Chief Administrative Officer