Description
The motorbikes and motorcycles are reappearing, riding in large groups, speeding, passing cars illegally, driving the wrong way including in oncoming traffic lanes, doing wheelies through the park and along Madison from Manning to Lark and revving engines loudly at stop lights. Police officers in cars watch them pass without even attempting to pull them over (not talking about a high speed chase). The bikers know they have the upper hand. It's not a shooting--I get it--but it's severely impacting the quality of life in the park, for businesses on Lark and Madison, including with outdoor seating, and for residents throughout the city. It won't stop without consistent enforcement.
4 Comments
City of Albany Admin 3 (Verified Official)
Watching out for Our Citizens (Registered User)
Stängt David, Mayor's Office (Verified Official)
We are closing this issue. Should you witness this type of activity in the future, please contact the Albany Police Department immediately by dialing 911 or 518-438-4000. Please do not use SeeClickFix to report this type of activity as it delays APD's ability to respond immediately.
We are aware of the issue and began instituting strategies during the fall of last year to address this. Our officers have been directed to not pursue the ATVs as this will worsen the situation. Instead, we have adopted an approach using unmarked vehicles in an attempt to follow the ATVs at a distance and confront the operators once the ATVs stop. The officers can then safely cite the operator and, if appropriate, confiscate the ATVs. We’ve had some success with this strategy, as we’ve issued several citations, made several arrests, and confiscated several ATVs.
This year, we are considering the addition of drones into the strategy. Drones will allow for an aerial view of the routes that are being travelled by the ATVs as well as storage locations.
If individuals are aware of the address of owners of the ATVs that ride on the streets illegally, we ask that you pass that information along to the Albany Police Department as well.
David, Mayor's Office (Verified Official)