Chris,
It might make sense to create a watch area for your police lieutenant.

it's worse...

Charles emailed in to say:

"We suffer every day or shoud I say afternoon cause thats when no cops are around!It starts at 6 oclock thru the night.schooters with out mufflers come on!we call the NHPD ok well get some one out their.40 mins later they come by now the kids are in another part of town.How long does it take to catch people and you know who they are!!!!!ohhh the dirt bikes are a pain in the buttttt to!RED blue and white and a green one."

I too have been annoyed by the noise of these illegal vehicles. I've learned from experience that you have to practically "spoon feed" information to the police. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to locate where they're housed! Someone knows, but as usual they're waiting for some else to take care of it.

When I got home last week, two groups of kids were riding their motor scooters on the sidewalk. I hate to admit it, but it probably won't get addressed until someone gets hurt.

Folks, please call the PD to address this as it is happening. Anything else is probrably too little, to late.

Please call the police immediately when it happens, but also vote here to have it fixed and post any details you have here (you may do that anonymously if you prefer).

Hill South police district monitors this, so any reports posted here are instantly sent to that email address.

Citizens can also monitor the reports and look for patterns that need to be addressed.

Because police dispatchers are trained to get as much detailed info as possible, many ask for way too much, which delays getting a squad car down here. So I've found it necessary to have the description ready while I'm calling: approximate age & minimal description of rider, SHIRT/JACKET COLOR, HAT COLOR, color of motorbike, what direction their going. Then get off the phone so dispatcher can call patrol officer. Of course, LOCATION of dirtbike is the only info that's relevant! But they want more details, so be prepared.

They are selling these bikes on the corner of Howard and Lamberton, in the rear of the church (parish house in back). There is a whole street gang living in the house there. Yes, in the church house. It is being run as an illegal rooming house......and apparently, a great place to buy a street bike. The police and so many city officials know about this. It is disgusting. Check out the picture. Look familar?

Kris Sainsbury emailed to say:

--

Today - thanks to the discussion on SCF one of our Alder People has contacted the NHPD about this distressing issue.

We should see a cut down very soon.

A thank you goes out to all those who posted and to our Alders for taking notice.

Block Watch 403

This is the best photo I have seen to date on this site.
Amazing...

My god that is totally hysterical. That is simply the best photo ever. All I got to say is did you look at all those hardened felons in the "biker gang". A bunch of killers there I tell ya....

Has this been resolved?

If you're referring to the sale of bikes @ howard & lamberton, I don't know. The initial issue reported here--illegal use of of-road vehicles--continues same as ever.

I have been notified by Tanner that this issue has diffused somewhat, but has definitely not been resolved. Since there appears to be notification that our alderman, NHPD, and several representatives from city hall have been properly put on notice in regard to the matter, we have decided to take the complaint to the State level. It appears that the constant stream of activity that hums there is far too complex for the city to manage. This photograph depicts these youths living in an illegal rooming house in the rear of the church at the corner of Howard and Lamberton. There is no valid license for a rooming house there and the church is not paying property tax or income tax from the income that is generated on the property. There is an enormous amount of activity ranging from the sale of bikes to loitering. On an average day, cars are piled up in front of the illegal rooming house letting passengers out and picking them up.
The New Haven Police Department has been put on notice repeatedly, documentation reflects notices that go back to July of 2003. An even more shameful fact is that there is a substation less than one block away from this activity. If you have noticed this activity and would like to participate in a complaint on the state level, send me a notification at paulalovesrealestate@yahoo.com and I will provide you with proper paperwork to file a motion to enjoin.

I did receive a notice stating that the problem needs it's own complaint, and should be severed from the illegal streetbikes complaint, which I agree is accurate.

done

Hey Chris,

Should we close it?

Well, I think the illegal use of off-road vehicles has become a regular fixture everywhere, with no easy fix. So I might as well close it [at least until next Summer. Then we'll see if the new Chief of Police has any new ideas about this.] I posted the illegal rooming house behind the church as a new issue.

see my last comment

Do not close this issue. It has not been resolved.

see comment above.

Agreed. Let's keep this issue open for now

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!"

This problem is quite bad. The source of these bikes is a kid that lives at the corner of Lamberton and Hallock. The kids drive those bikes over neighbors gardens, do a lot of damage to private, public, and park property, and someone needs to be accountable for this. If you are going to take the time to contact John Destefano, do yourself a favor and put him on written notice that if he does not take proactive measures to do something about this problem, the city is going to be held accountable if there is another accident with a child. The property damage is bad enough, but when people get hurt, it is ridiculous. On Greenwich Avenue, there was a neighbor who went to get in her car one morning, and the windshield was broken, there was a large dent in the driver's side door and the roof. She was upset, she thought it was vandalism, and then a neighborhood child reported that his cousin was "popping a wheelie", fell off and lost control of the bike, and the bike bounced off the car. $2,000.00 worth of damage and the car is still in the shop.

As anyone has noticed, Howard Avenue has cleaned up exponentially, much in part to the Smilow Center, and the fact that Yale will start patrolling our streets if the NHPD does not get their act together. Everyone knows that NHPD is soft in these issues, whereas Yale PD has a superb history of no tolerance for such issues. You do not see any dirtbikes around Yale, think about it. Many, Many police officers have been contacted regarding this matter, and they argue with neighbors and say, hey, I'm not risking a lawsuit chasing these kids. COME ON. Go to the source where the dirtbikes are coming from, and the problem will end. There is a garage across from the Union Automitive, no sign on the front, I believe the address is 60 Spring Street, the owner Rodriguez retrofits illegal cars (after a car passes motor vehicle inspection, he takes out the catalytic converter on a muffler, which makes it super loud - this is very much illegal - when you see a super loud car, look at all of the exhaust that is coming out of the back). There are TONS of bikes in and out of that shop, and Rodriguez' son is well known for stealing bikes as a child, and now that he is a young man he has upgraded to motor bikes. Selling stolen bikes, repairing them,...you name it, this kid is all over it.

Put John Destefano on written notice that if you or your loved ones suffer property damage, get hurt, or suffer any other consequences regarding this matter, the city will face increased damages because for over 10 years now THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM and it is getting worse. When the city faces the threat of a legal responsibility, the matter will most certainly be taken care of. And let's work together to out this Rodriguez fella.....his kid has been stealing bikes, repainting them in his illegal garage, and has been a nuisance for years! Come on, people....let's solve this issue before someone else gets hurt. Props to Chris Shaefer for opening this matter.

UPDATE: there was a roadblock at the corner of Kimberly/Lamberton in front of the pizza stand,.....several cops of motorcycles. They let several of these kids through on bikes. Outrageous!

Robert, is this the garage where the retro-fitting you describe is taking place? Or is it somewhere across the street from this?

Robert, is this the garage where the illegal retro-fitting is taking place? Or is it somewhere across the street?

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!"

Yup, that is the garage. On a nice day you can walk right inside. motor bikes, regular bikes, most stolen. Nice photo.

I just relayed this info to Lt. Witkowski, Hill South Police District Manager

UPDATE: the son of the above mentioned motor bike/bike/moped fraud squad that drives through our streets with his posse got hauled away this morning at his home on the corner of Lamberton and Hallock. (see attached pics). Arrested for what? Who cares, he's locked up! This kid turns up with practically every crew that runs with these illegal vehicles. NHPD sent a pretty nice message to onlookers today, this kid is part and parcel of a complaint that was investigated in record time. Looks like there is a new sherriff in town.....er, in the substation. When you see Lt. Witkowski drive by, tip your hat and give a wave. This man means business. The blurry pic is the repeat offender getting hauled off.......legalities prevent showing his face until he pleads. It's a fine day in City Point!

let me try that again.......

there it is....

The above photo from last year really produced some results, the parish house has been cleaned out (of junk, stolen stuff, and bad tenants, embarrassing foot-in-mouth comments by city disaster you know who), there is actual supervision going on, and all of the crazy signs/graffitti/activity is gone.

Just in case your wondering. Are you lovin' seeclickfix.com today? Oh yeah.

LOVIN IT!

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

As of 2013 City departments have begun to review, acknowledge and respond to SeeClickFix issues. Since your issue is in the category titled "No Service Request" and was submitted prior to 2013, we are going to close and archive it.  If this issue still requires City attention, please report as a new SeeClickFix issue. Thank you.