I think this would warrant a call to the non-emergency NHPD number when you see them. Hopefully that would instigate the dispatch of a squad car to investigate.

KRP, they're dangerous because their erratic cowboy antics in traffic threaten them, motorists and pedestrians.

In case you're new to this issue, there is a law on the books that allow New Haven to confiscate the bikes/ATVs and then demand over a $1000 to release the dirt bikes/ATVs, which for all intents and purposes takes the bikes of the streets for good. BUT, NHPD needs addresses of where the dirt bikes/ATVs are stored to confiscate. Unless people are willing and ready to report where these guys are storing their bikes (or take pictures of them with smart phones or whatever and then post), its very difficult to get the off the street. For many reasons, to my knowledge NHPD doesn't pursue the bikes. The most effective deterrent is locating where they are stored and confiscating the dirtbikes/ATVs.

That's nice to know, but that requires people to actually know where they are stored. Likely, the people who live around where these kids live are not on seeclickfix, or if they are, they don't care or refuse to post because they are kids of family members or friends. Also, as those who have posted pictures of real people on this site before know, seeclickfix almost always immediately removes posts in which people's faces are shown because of some so-called privacy issue. So what else is to be done? Confronting them could be dangerous, but the police won't do anything about it unless they happen to be doing dangerous things where the police happen to be. But we also know that they are not going to be hanging out where police regularly hang out. And the chances of those kids and the police actually being in the same place at the same time (my own street, for example) are pretty low.

If the city was truly committed to getting the dirtbikes/ATVs off the streets, Chief Esserman and Mayor Harp would invest some political capitol. For example, a campaign to encourage people to call the addresses of ATVs/Dirtbikes ("Dial in for Safe Streets"). The law is there, we know it works, it just takes some investment of time and energy by NHPD, the mayor's office, and the residents of the city.

Police have an anonymous tip line specifically for ATV and dirt bike riding, 203-946-6098. Please call so they can act swiftly rather than report it here.

I prefer to call then ClickFix. Two are better than one!

Nothing has changed. If anything these guys (can't call them kids) are even more brazen, dangerous and obnoxious.

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.

As long as this undemocratic obnoxiousness is allowed this post should stay open.

Given the current mild winter, these poorly-behaved citizens of New Haven have not ceased their illegally loud cycling in town nor their lawless riding habits.

KRP: Their danger is not as thieves or assailants but as unpredictable traffic hazards.

Naturally, this remains an issue.

We are closing this request due to its historic nature. If this concern still requires attention and you still believe SeeClickFix is a viable tool for its resolution the best way for it to be addressed is for you to create a new request including a current description of what is occurring and what solution you hope to see regarding this matter, citing/linking this request in the details. Thank you for your dedication to improving the quality of life in our community.