I live further up the road concord/ Florence street and they race at all hours. They are rude, and disgusting with no regard for anyone else. Lets get them out once and for all!

I am beginning to feel from what I have heard from others in the neighborhood that nothing will get done until an innocent person is hurt.

There are at least three of them and they make it impossible to have a conversation if the windows are open. Every few minutes they come roaring by, popping wheelies and running stop signs. They rode into oncoming traffic on Townsend yesterday at the seawall right in front of a friend of mine. I believe public menace is not too strong a label in this case.

Could not agree more.....Concord & Dean are the main thoroughfares with the smaller side sts. (Eden, Arden, Alden) also being affected. This has gotten to be more than just a quality of life issue if they are now on people' s private property!

The Officer who came to speak to me was wonderful. However, it is clear that the higher ups in City Hall are tying the hands of people who want something done about it. We need to raise this issue with our Alderman and the Mayor. When is the next City Hall meeting? Anyone else want to go? I have had it.

WHo on earth could be tying the hands of the authorities and to what end? People in the Cove have to learn to squawk and show up in groups at City Hall and to WTNH and to the papers. This is the only way to get something done. If the local officials cannot help, go to the state rep and state senator. Keep going up the food chain and get the names of people on the way. Make it very public-- Use the neighborhood groups, aldermen, media. People have to call and keep calling and taking names

So frustrating. My husband and I have a good idea on where they live. Repeated calls to the police can't hurt. The more we make noise about this , ( hopefully) the more attention we will get.

Arden let police know where they live cops will go there to confiscate bike , they will not chase bikes at all ever .

I have been told nothing will happen until we get something from the Mayor. Period. If he doesn't allow it, it won't happen.

We need to PACK the next Management Team Meeting and let Sgt. Anastasio know that we want this problem addressed now. The absence/response of police in the Cove is unacceptable. We need to get this addressed immediately or it will be a very long, noisy summer. Bring all your neighbors--send a message to downtown. Maybe publicize the meeting and get the press involved?

Morriscover, they are all wearing masks now. No way to tell who is doing it or prove they are.

My husband has spoken to our ward sargeant (police officer) on numerous occasions, has given him the addresses where several bikes are stored, has sent video and photos. Unless they see the illegal bikes out when they go to the address there is nothing they can do. The sargeant is sympathetic, and they will at least come and patrol the area when called. The kids on illegal bikes are getting more belligerant because they know that the cops won't do much.

Seawall--- now you're cookin. Call the press, then pack the Mgt Team Meeting. Bring signs and picket outside. Publicize it through this forum and I will join you with a sign. Morris Cove must learn to yell like other parts of the City.
PS--- why would the mayor not OK this? He is a lame duck and he has his next gig already??!?!?!?!?!?!.................

Our local management team meeting looks to be 7:00 PM, 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Morris Cove firehouse, 488 Lighthouse Rd. Our neighborhood specialist is Linda Davis and our district manager is Sgt Anastasio. June 12th, let's go make some noise!

Has anyone looked into filing suit in small claims court against either the perpetrators or the owners of the properties where the perpetrators live / store the dirt bikes? There's definitely a valid case for noise nuisance, to say the least. Is anyone interested in looking into this further with me?

I had thought about that. We would need considerable evidence to prove it was them and their bikes. Also, it would be us vs. them directly -- no city, no police. That would expose us to a direct retaliation effort. Not that I'm shying away, but it's something to consider.

Cove residents need to go to there alderman, then demand a meeting with the appropriate department heads and mayor downtown. If Morris Cove does not pull together; they will get no services--- just the tax bill

I am so sick of these kids. They almost hit a pedestrian yesterday on Nathan Hale. Everyone I call says nothing can be done. Why can't I speed around without a license, registration or insurance? Popping wheelies, driving way above the speed limit. They are not going to stop until someone gets hurt. We have asked them to slow down and they give us the finger. This situation is escalating and is likely going to lead to something much worse.

Peter, I think there's more evidence out there than most people realize. I'm interested in going after the big offenders for starts, and I have video, photos, names, addresses, etc. Plus some of them have been arrested multiple times, so there are already police reports out there. And if there was any retaliation effort, that would be criminal, so the police would definitely be involved. I think it's definitely worth pursuing.

We have to start locally and move up if there is no response. If we do it any other way, we will be shut down. I say we go with Peter's idea and go to the meeting at the Fire House.

I should also add that one of the biggest offenders, Justin Gallogly (FH Heights), has been arrested by the NHPD recently and now has two pending court dates, 5/31 & 6/24. Among a slew of motor vehicle charges, he's also being charged with five felonies related to possession of narcotics. (see case N23N-MV13-0083696-S). I'm really hoping that they will not allow AR (essentially probation) and lock this guy up for a while. He has been a huge problem not only in the Heights but Fair Haven and beyond. His Instagram handle is wheelstand, if anyone follows BikeLife through there.

The city needs to address this and FAST before law abiding citizens start taking their own action when this idiots come on our private property.

Lets All Work Together, I agree. If this issue continues and/or escalates over the summer, some citizen is likely to lose it and that would not be good. I suggest we keep this issue open until the next Mngmt. Team meeting so a meeting reminder can be distributed through SCF to all those who have viewed this issue. FairHaveRes, our police district encompasses much of Fair Haven. Hopefully, you can rally interested members of the Fair haven community to attend as well. Do we need a larger meeting place? I know the Administration's response is going to be "our hands are tied" and "we are trying our best" but that is no longer an acceptable response. The current response has emboldened these thugs and what is stopping them from getting even more brazen? Nothing. They are the untouchables, and they know it. We elect our leaders to get things done and not throw up their hands when things get tough. They need to find a way to solve this problem ASAP!

I know the FH Heights group has been working with Sgt. Anastasio on the dirt bike issue; I'll e-mail the head of the newly formed community watch over there and ask him to check this issue and respond if he has anything to offer.

Board of Alders meets first Monday of the month June -- August. We could go there too in July after the management team meeting if needed. FairHavenRes, thanks for that information. Having a name and a case number is really encouraging. I'm sure these individuals have issues, but they can't be allowed to take them out on the city.

Peter -- thanks for alerting us to the Community Management Teams (CMT) that exist in the City. The website indicates that: "Community Management Teams (CMT) are organized in each of New Haven's ten community policing districts. A CMT consists of residents and businesses within the district who have organized to serve as a forum for problem solving and information exchange centering around neighborhood issues that are of the most concern to the group."
The East Shore CMT (9th District) is scheduled to meet Tuesday, June 11 (2nd Tue of the month) at the Morris Cove Firehouse (at corner of Townsend and Lighthouse Rd) -- and we should pack the meeting regarding this issue. We will need to confirm the meeting is on -- as they sometimes do not meet in summer months.

What a grassroots tidal wave we have created! Am proud of all of us for banding together on this issue. Peter, Waterboarder....agreed let's get as many folks as possible to Management Team meeting and the on line petition is another good idea.....can someone knowledgeable create it and pass along?

The New Haven Police Department will hold a Press Event regarding the ONGOING DIRT-BIKE ATV STING OPERATION on Friday, June 7, 2013 at 5:00 pm. at 710 Sherman Pkwy. at the Police Impound Yard. (The impound yard is behind the New Haven Police Academy building)

Please join Mayor John DeStefano Jr, Chief Dean M. Esserman, members of the Board of Alderman and department command staff for this important event.

Agreed...getting out of hand in the Cove. I live on Townsend.

I almost hit two of the kids who cut the corner short as I was leaving a complete stop at the park and intersection of Townsend just now. Who would have been blamed for that. Kid on red and white dirt bike no mask.

Meeting at 5? People have to leave work early to be there? I think the Mayor should make it 530 if he really wants to make the correct impression. We are fed up Mr. Mayor.

Good story in the Independent about today's press event regarding our mutual problem. http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/9_arrested_in_dirt_bike_sting/

Great news that the PD enforced the law, hope this continues. If neighbors have names and addresses of offenders nt already caught, please give info to the police, so they can keep them off the street. I am convinced that a lot of these scofflaws, now criminals, have other infractions and warrants against them, as can be seen in the above post about Justin. When the NYPD started enforcing quality f life issues, even small things like jumping the subway turnstiles, they caught a bunch of wanted people with outstanding warrants. Enforcement of this kind of stuff nets bigger fish, fish we need to catch.

Just reminding all that tomorrow (Tuesday) is the neighborhood Management Meeting at Morris Cove Firehouse at 7:00. The recent police sting is great progress but we still have a problem here in the Cove.

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It's not only summer love. It's the law.

Hey born and raised. Got a life. In Morris Cove we are neighbors. Perhaps this is not your neighborhood after all. Being lawful is a part of that. How about you join us. Get a job. Pay taxes. If you don't like the laws you can advocate for change in Hartford. Good luck to you. Come talk with us at the firehouse meeting.

They are running rampant on Townsend Ave too!. Weaving from side to side of road, racing madly around the curve at seawall both directions, "popping wheelies", giving people walking rude gestures, gunning their engines to create as much noise & speed as possible when seeing walkers, passing cars on all sides, running the stop sign further down, etc. etc. Yes, they are masked also. This was just this week in November, so I don't think it's "summer fun".

I'm getting a paint ball gun. Let them go to the police and complain.

Do something again pd please

Agree, let's reassign some policemen that spend the day watching utility workers dig a hole to catching these thugs. NHPD Do you need to hire a brain surgeon to understand what people need? Ugh

My theory is that these punks are thumbing their nose at the PD. Maybe they will do something after they worked so hard at cleaning it up in the first place and since they stole their bikes back.

Agree, let's reassign three policemen that normally spend the day watching utility workers dig a hole.

I heard they stole their bikes back. They are at it again Nhpd. When r u coming back? Neighbors are @#$% again.

This issue was recategorized from Traffic/Road Safety to Policing Issue.

Hope the P D will be around this afternoon into evening. The kids will be out in full force from after school thru weekend.

If you know where dirt bikes, quads and ATVs are garaged, report it to the New Haven Police Criminal Intel Unit. The officer in charge is:

Sergeant Karl Jacobson
New Haven Police Department
Criminal Intel Unit/Narcotics
One Union Ave, New Haven CT
phone: (203) 946-6098
Fax: (203) 946-6293
e-mail: kjacobson@newhavenct.net

He will respond to emails and calls. If you report a known ATV or dirt bike location to him, he will investigate and confiscate the machines.

Thank you for your participation in the constructive dialogue regarding this issue. As The New Haven Police Department does not actively monitor this site, we ask that future incidents be reported directly through the NHPD non-emergency line at (203)946-6316.
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.