This has got to stop. Confiscate these dangerous toys, and also make It illegal to sell them within city limits.

I have posted on this issue several times and every time I check back others are saying the same thing. Is ANYONE in the city police or city transportation department listening? Are any of the aldermen seeing these posts?

I spoke to three guys today about it. They had previously promised that they were not riding around Fair Haven, but were loading the bikes/quads up and going to a field somewhere else. However I caught them on N Poplar St today and informed them that if I ever see them on public streets again, I will be giving their storage location to the NHPD. They are definitely only part of the problem, though; the majority of the quads/bikes racing up and down Poplar are coming from the south part of Fair Haven; I'm just not sure which street.

I put a separate ticket in some time ago about the cars racing. There is no stop sign on Poplar after Pine, and cars easily reach 50 MPH, which is DANGEROUS and STUPID. There are a lot of kids in this area and this is a disaster waiting to happen. No word from Traffic & Parking yet. See issue here:
http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/103529-stop-sign-needed

I live on Poplar Street and I can't even let my kids be in the front of the house because of this problem.

Same issue on Atwater. Dirt bikes and quads flying around corners, popping wheelies, and running stop signs. Someone is going to get hurt.

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