Same group of reckless ATV riders are now in the street in the snow with radio controlled cars! No end to the toys and their determination to use a public roadway regardless of traffic or potential interferance with emergency vehicals.

New ATVs still being dropped off at this location. Riders use Clifton Street as a Test Track,racing up and down,often up Clifton on the wrong side of the street.Some in this group are young adults chased out from the Sunoco drug bust on Route 80.

80 clifton continues to be the source of reckless driving.The dirt bikes were still out in the street doing stunts and racing. both 80 and 84 clifton are a source of blight,suspicious activity as well as a test track for ATVs. this location would be a great acquisition for the city to expand Fairmont Park.

Well we had another snow day and the snowmobile was out in the street again. i quess Johnny got out of bed late because because his friends on quads had to make a few trips up and down Clifton street before they could get him out. The NHPD does not have the will to get these kids/adults off the street. i quess it's easier to put humps in the road for the rest of us to bounce over (quad riders must have fun getting airbourne racing over them) . I see no end to this issue as no one else seems to care. Are these kids covered under Husky?

First nice day,warm and sunny the snowmobiles are put away and the junk hondas with music blasting, sagging suspensions noisy exhaust pipes are back at 80 clifton street. They drive these cars like ATVS. noisy. reckless, dangerous. Where is the NHPD?

yes they;re still at it with two new wrinkles. Dirt bikes are kept in the house now most of the time,that would be the door next to the red gas can. If the Parks Dept or NHPD cares they cut the fence so they don't need to race up and down Clifton Street but they do. This is not about sport riding.

The road warriors with their Mohawk helmets are still at it and with a vengence. Hellooooo is anyone out there?

Great thread Mike - looks like the same guy as the ones on http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/4469

dirt bikes are the best toyz bilt and people are tring to get them off the street (marty)! then i cant wheely like i do up and down the sreets in fair side with out getin LOW and i mean LOW on the COPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o ya buy the way marty i ment mike the kx 85 is the bike the kid with the green mohawk green helmet and green dirt bike thats me im a prity popular rider 4 a 14 year old haha u cant catch me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! come guys its oniy 85 cc (that i can wheely the hole chapal st on) but ya them cops have 4 cylinder and i oniy have 1 bring it (2 strok)

that a nice bike to race arond new haven with

ill need a yellow mohawk for that bike

i might have 1 laying arond

OK

Clearly I don't need to make any more compelling arguments than the confessions of these kids made here today. But let me chime in and say that they are speeding through our neighborhood the wrong way down one-way streets causing dangerous situations for our children, not to mention noise pollution.

On friday one of the police officer, I think he was a Lt or Sargent, I want to say Bomlicki or the one name Hassett, they had a ATV on the corner of Whalley & Ella Grasso Blvd. They finally got one. then Fountain towing came and towed it away. I think these teenagers think that on the weekends, these officers dont be on, so they could really have fun and ride them like crazy. well this weekend I only seen 1, and he must of had liscense. but whalley & ella grasso blvd is crazy with them. The way you know these ATV's are stolen, they get off and run. When you buy a bike you are not going to run. and another thing, why dont these kids go to a field. must first of all they have to buy one. they go to all these I guess nice neighborhoods, and steal them. yes I live in a low income neighborhood. but I was always told to work for what you want, not steal it. These police officers should of been here a long time ago. Chief Lewis get and A plus, Chief Ortiz was a chief for yrs, and did not do nothing at all. thank you so much new haven police dept and I think Norton St sub station. and also they need to stop hanging out at Primo Pizza on Whalley Ave since its close.
Thanks New Haven Police Dept.
lets keep these stolen bikes off the road. they also need to be charge for larceny, I thought anything over $1,000,00 was some of kind of larceny, like a 2 or 3.
thanks once again. and please new haven police dept continue to work on the weekends.

[edited for content].... im still going to ride my Blaster and theres nothing you going to do about it....Look how stupid you look the cops dont even pay attention to you, they dont care because if they did they would of been got us... Dont you think????? oh wait i forgot they cant get us HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

My blaster is the slowest out of our whole crew and you still cant cath me !!!!!!!!!!

[edited for content].. but you want to sit here and talk about kids in dirt bikes, They should take you to jail...

FINALLY a police chief who understands the REAL issue: "It's an issue of contempt for the neighborhoods, contempt for community members, contempt for the city." Chief Lewis, 4/27/09

(KEKE) i have all the paper work for my GREEN KX 85 i got it from (new haven powersports) and netheris calabas blaster or eany of the the other of the 30 bikes we ride with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o yea and mike for your info them kids at 80 clifton st dont ride eany more and if thay did u would know cuz we would be every weir hahahahahaha

i love geting people mad

i am the kid from 80 clifton if u got a problem call 203 535 7512

next summer i will be riding a cr 85 and so will green mowhawk kid. i have nothin to ride at the moment but once the snow begins to fall i will be on an ATV A.S.A.P

if i recall i believe last sunday october 25th 2009 about 12 officers came to clinton ave. field and had a high speed chase but was historically unable to catch me and another illegal dirtbike. But unfortunately caught my other two friends. As u can see i am the 16 year old kid on the yellow atv also known as a banshee but not to be rude to the officers (quad squad) who tried so hard but (*edited for violating SeeClickFix terms of service) especially the big blue police truck if they thought they were going to catch me. i mean come on my record is 33 and 0 and i know it will continue to grow summer of 2010.

oh stop the're just kids geez get over it lol

hey green mohawk kid lol its awhile since i saw a ride hows it going the old @#$% still nagging about the quads and bikes LOL keep riding :)

Closing issue as their has not been any activity documented recently.

The kids are still terrorizing the residents of Fair Haven Heights. Every weekend, most evenings.

Its almost as if its legal to ride up and down the streets on dirtbikes and quads 24/7 in the Heights. I'm really disappointed in the police dept., I know they get numerous calls about this.

Thanks for being diligent and reopening. This issue should be addressed with the new Chief when he arrives. Lewis seemed to take this stuff seriously. I'm guessing Limon's inability to listen to our community concerns was just a fluke.

This is a HUGE safety concern in the Heights, not to mention a quality-of-life issue. Someone's going to get killed. Can the NHPD please impound these "vehicles"?

Definitely a quality of life issue that Chief Esserman has said he wants to address aggressively. How do you get an issue like this on his agenda? Through the aldermen? Someone in police management? These kids have basically said we will break the law, terrorize the community, and there is nothing you can do about it. Kind of sad if New Haven's finest can't fix this one.

These kids are in training to become future jailbirds, this is just the beginning of their lives of crime and trying to get away from the police. If Esserman doesnt snip this in the bud soon the next generation will be even harder to fudge crime stats for.

does anyone have any information on what is required of someone when they purchase one of these vehicles? (there are always a few for sale at the pawn shop on state st near ferry st.)

it seems like restrictions aren't strict enough if kids are flying through our neighborhoods on these. sure, some adults might buy them as gifts. but considering how frequently these are a danger, i find it unlikely that that is the case with all of them.

My suggestion: they ride, we call. 203 946 6316. Enough calls at the same time, whenever they start up, may get someone's attention. It's a chronic problem that needs a creative, strong solution. I just put the number in my contacts list.

a girl was hurt:
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/domestic_incident_etc/

we need to step up enforcement! please call the number 'front street' listed below, it is the NHPD non-emergency number. add it to your contacts. call with as much info as possible. color of bikes, describe riders as best you can, the direction of travel.

I witnessed a police officer on Lexington ave about 4:30 PM get passed by 3 dirtbikes going about 60 mph yesterday. The officer waited about 30 seconds before driving off, obviously not in any hurry to catch up to them. If this was a car doing the same thing would the police not try to get them? I'm starting to wonder about the role of the police in this town. What is more dangerous, letting these guys speed around town and doing nothing or actually catching them occasionally and getting some of them off the streets? People will get hurt either way, the job of the police is to get the bad guys off the street..... grrrr!

If something is not done kids from the burbs are going to start trailering their bikes to New Haven to ride without fear of the law.

multiple dirt bikes just sped past on cold spring street again

Sunday night,June 17th, I was driving home down Lenox to cifton Street, a police officer behind me. Everything on me is legit, I am smiling, then out of I think Aner Street at about 30 mph comes 5 ATV'S and about 6 dirt bikes, like freakin animals, boy I wanted to ride right into them, I moved over to the right, so the officer could do his job. These jerks were driving at least50 to 60 mph on a city street.
I approached a group last week and asked them how do they think we can stop this nightmare. They told me point blank, you ain't lady. So this is what the police are dealing with, ignorant punks.
How do you stop this, they can torture a neighbor and ride in their backyards for hours till ten at night, these thugs no all the rules. This is not going to stop ever, its to dangerous to chase them and there is no place for them to drive anywhere legal. so if there is no legal place to ride these vehicles in New Haven, than ban the sale of them even at the pawn shops. Which means we have to start with legislature, this is no longer a issue to be bothering the cops with, everyday, everynight.
Believe me I leave on Clifton Street and I want to run those suckers over,sometimes 9 hrs straight with noise, yeah thats right, you know who you are.... We need to go to the alderman meeting tonight at StJames, stop running our mouths and stop hiding behind a make believe name. I, Cecilia Proto have no problem using my name,becaause I believe in what I say and say the TRUTH,

Hello future neighbor. I hope to be moving to your area in the near future and my son likes to dirt bike. Obviously we won't be using it there, but do you know where it is welcome in the area?

Hello All,

So if you’ve just about had enough with the dirt bikers, here’s a constructive way to funnel that frustration. Let’s write the aldermen and ask them to take action and give the city more tools to deal with the dirt bikes. Just cut and paste the following letter (make changes of course if you want) into the main body of your e mail and then cut and paste the following addresses into the address portion.

Unite against illegal use of dirt bikes and ATVs!

Here are the addresses and then the letter.

Ward1@newhavenct.net, Ward2@newhavenct.net, Ward3@newhavenct.net, Ward4@newhavenct.net, Ward5@newhavenct.net, Ward6@newhavenct.net, Ward7@newhavenct.net, Ward8@newhavenct.net, Ward9@newhavenct.net, Ward10@newhavenct.net, Ward11@newhavenct.net, Ward12@newhavenct.net, Ward13@newhavenct.net, Ward14@newhavenct.net, Ward15@newhavenct.net, Ward16@newhavenct.net, Ward17@newhavenct.net, Ward18@newhavenct.net, Ward19@newhavenct.net, Ward20@newhavenct.net, Ward21@newhavenct.net, Ward22@newhavenct.net, Ward23@newhavenct.net, Ward24@newhavenct.net, Ward25@newhavenct.net, Ward26@newhavenct.net, Ward27@newhavenct.net, Ward28@newhavenct.net, Ward29@newhavenct.net, Ward30@newhavenct.net

Dear Aldermen,

If you are not aware, the illegal use of dirt bikes and ATVs on the streets of New Haven has become a serious public safety and quality of life issue. Earlier this year, a 7 year old girl was run over by a dirt bike as she waited on the sidewalk. Illegal use of dirt bikes in New Haven leads to injuries for both operators and innocent bystander and loss of quality of life for those who live in the neighborhoods where the dirt bikes and ATVs choose to illegally ride.

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/domestic_incident_etc/
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/dirt_biker_pays_75._will_it_work/
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/ghost_busters_work_on_foot/
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/cops_help_us_nab_dirt_bikers/

There has been considerable frustration among those who live in all the neighborhoods of New Haven at the inability of the city to stop or lessen the illegal use of dirt bikes and ATVs.

http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/200986-dirt-bikes-everywhere
http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/195956-motorbike-noise-and-danger
http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/1862-illegal-use-of-dirt-bikes-and-atvs
http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/188072-pics-of-fair-haven-dirt-biker
http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/193787-dirt-bike-excessive-speeds
http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/192778-dirtbikes-riding-on-sidewalks
http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/192778-dirtbikes-riding-on-sidewalks
http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/4501-illegal-atv-s
http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/176551-dirt-bikes-racing-on-forbes-ave-during-rush-hour

New Haven is not the only city faced with the illegal and dangerous use of dirt bikes and ATVs . The residents of Baltimore, Philadelphia and Boston have also looked for sustainable solutions to the issue.

I urge you to consider ordinances similar to those implemented in those cities. For example, banning the sale of dirt bikes and ATVs within city limits. Banning the sale of duel to dirt bikes and ATVs within city limits. Banning the ownership of dirt bikes and ATVs that are not locked or securely maintained at the residence of the owner.

Sincerely,

.

I totally agree with sending a letter, if the alderperson dosen't know whats going on in our neighborhoods, then why would I send them a letter. They can't do NOTHING, send the letter with a petition to the Chief of Police, who I called. This is not going to be resolved easy, the cops have no control over making laws. You people blame the police repeatedly, read the crime logs, ATV'S and dirt bikes are not on the top of the list. this should be a citywide meeting held at a central spot and the chief needs to address this issue, not pass the buck to his men who are on overload. cecilia proto

This is a major ongoing problem throughout the entire city. Has the Alderperson here done anything to address the issue?

Here's a picture of the latest bike to be on the lookout for... before it's actually on the streets...

One alderman seemed interested in addressing the issue. He drafted an ordinance based on those passed in Baltimore and Philadelphia (ban sale of dirtbikes and ATVs within city limits, ban sale of gas to dirtbike and ATVs in city limits, allow police impound any dirtbike or ATV not under lock and key). Last I heard law enforcement in Fair Haven thought the ordinances wouldn't really help the effort to take dirtbikes and ATVs off the streets. There is still some dialogue, to my knowledge, between the alderman and police on how to best addres the issue. But seems the effort to draft and pass ordinances has lost some steam. As always, I encourage all to bug their alderpeople to take some substantive action to keep the streets safe.

What about the Alderperson in this neighborhood? Any feedback from them?

Can a citywide meeting be held?

In my efforts to encourage alderpeople to address the issue, Justin Elicker has been the most engaged and proactive. He was at the Chatham Square community meeting with Sargent Zona and has been very receptive to the idea of new ordinances to keep the streets safe and free of dirtbikes.

I've never heard back from Gabriel Santiago about the issue. Has anybody else had conversations or correspondance with him about the dirt bikes? Well, with the new re-districting Elicker will hopefully be my alderman so perhaps more movement on this issue.

the issue is the police are not enforcing the laws. Its very simple, police do their job.

FOX CT ran a story about the bikers on their 4pm News:
http://www.ctnow.com/videobeta/ab978421-948f-4ff0-a763-1b7935ae5a20/News/Quad-And-Dirt-Bike-Crackdown-In-New-Haven

Wow, those photos and videos are striking.

Sgt Zona wants to help them find a place to ride huh? Seems to me he tells them to go to the Heights cause I see them every single night, car alarms sounding off as well. What a nice place to live.

They aren't cracking down, that was a lie for the camera if you ask me.

Sgt. Anastasio caught between 4-6 of them last week, it is all well documented. And that was a job well done based on good police work and personal initiative from him. Most cops I have talked to find these guys just as annoying and their behaviors dangerous, and utterly lawless--just like the general public does.

Anastasio's arrests last week show that this is something that can be done. Imagine if he had more support from the and Chief/Mayor what good police like him could do!

I really, really, really want to believe that Sgts Zona and Anastasio are doing their best to solve this problem. But the kids are still out there night and day, endangering themselves and others, and bringing down the quality of life for the good residents of the Heights and Fair Haven. I saw one kid drive straight across Chatham Park (on the park path and through the central seating area) on a large ATV last night. Crazy stuff...

Is there any information available on who was caught, if they were arrested, if their bikes were confiscated, etc? I haven't seen any details and I'm not sure where the best place is to look.
Thanks.

The information was presented at the newly founded 939 block watch meeting. It was certainly a step in the right direction. I cannot say that I can share all of the details accurately, however, there may be people at the next meeting that could inform you exactly what happened, including the Sargeant himself. Hope to see more people at the next month's meeting, the more of us that stay involved and pool our resources (mostly time and information gathering) together the more we can accomplish!

Let's do this!

I sure would LOVE to see the list of those busted bikers. It seems to me reporters would too. I did only see half a dozen of them yesterday racing down the street setting off multiple car alarms so maybe there is some truth to this.

The good sarge told us a similar story at the Ben Jepson meeting too.

On Saturday night a large group of the Justin Galloughy gang were blocking traffic on quinnipiac ave, after the global gas station. Its near the four brick house's that are Hud subsidized before Bishop Woods, left hand side going toward North Haven. My mother and sister were scared because they blocked the whole entire street and were doing wheelies and causing havoc. so I guess the warrants for Justin haven't been served yet.
This is to show the public that Vin ananstasio already arrested all these punks and their out again. My sister couldn't believe the hateful, reckless attitude of these punks.

I think it is fair to say that NEW HAVEN has a PROBLEM across the entire city of roving bands of dirt bikes. I have personally called the police to address the matter and seen zero response at the site of the reported incident. However, that does not remove a likelihood of surveillance taking place. Now is a time for action. It would seem analogous to living in the damned WILD WEST and having outlaws WEARING MASKS riding all through town causing havoc and mayhem. The area of concern if from the border of New Haven and Hamden on Dixwell/Sherman to Fair Haven, West River, and all the way to the Hill. Can we get the mayor to hold a press conference on something other than politricks?

Hey ClickFixers, time to start writing and e mailing 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!"

Optional:
c. If you feel comfortable, go on www.SeeClickFix.org. Select a report of illegal dirt bike or ATV riding with multiple posts, and contribute your own comment. You have the option to comment anonymously on See, Click, Fix. If you comment anonymously you will be asked for an email address but it is not displayed with the comment.

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?"

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

If they got reported every time by everyone who can hear them the police station would figure out how to catch them right?

That is funny, thanks for the laughs G.

We aint stopping.... We gonna be out in the street all day. We dont care about the cops no more. And they better get ready cuzz this summer is gonna be crazyy

Hey Tiny,

I'm your neighbor. Any chance we could do this making New Haven better thing together?

What you guys are doing seems to makes a lot of people feel unsafe. Its not about the police its about your neighbors. People who like where they live which also happens to be the place where you live. These are not folks that live in the suburbs or want to run from you. These are folks who want to get along with you and enjoy the City we all pay taxes in just like you. None of the folks here are picking a fight with you. They just want to live in a City without feeling endangered. This could be your mom, your dad or your little brother. This City is too small for us not to think of each other as neighbors.

I'm with you that life can be boring and adrenaline and risk are necessary to pass the time but there's got to be a way to do this without making your fellow New Haveners scared of the place they live.

This City is on the way up and there's going to be more and more opportunity for folks who want to be a part of that.

NHV!

I have no suggestions

@benhv . hey ben i dont know why your wasting your time becuase you dont care about anyone from the urban community. you just want these kids to stop riding by your street. Tiny keep riding keep doing your thing.. these people dont care about anyone but themselves. idk what your vision is about new haven but after the 60s new haven became a ghetto. and thats all it will be.

big Tim and Tiny - you frighten children and infants, you make life miserable for the senior citizens of the Mary Wade Home, and you torment long-time home-owners in working class neighborhoods like fair haven heights. Are you proud of that? If you are than I feel sad for you, a sad excuse for a man.

Normally I'd say dont feed the trolls but in this case I say lets just let the police do the talking for us. Unless this latest sting was a one time thing(which could easily be) let the kids come up with thousands of dollars to get their bikes back(or just go to the burbs and steal like a common thief). I think these boys like jail, lots of boys to hang out with.

I am 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 last month's operation. The operation was not a one-off effort to address this issue, and information reported in new issues is helpful.

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

- Rob Smuts, Chief Administrative Officer