Police Crackdown on ATVs, Dirt Bikes

Police are reaching out to the public to help them crack down on illegal dirt bike and ATV riding on city streets.

On any given day, in parts of Philadelphia, you’re bound to see dirt bikes or ATVs weaving in and out of traffic at a high rate of speed. Local residents say they’re not only a nuisance but also dangerous.

“They drive reckless,” said Mercedes Jeffcoat of Kensington. “They run red lights, they turn whenever they want to turn.”

“They’re out here every day and it’s about to get nice outside so it’s about to be a real problem,” said Shonise Washington of Kensington.

“Kids are out here playing on the sidewalk and they’ll just ride on the sidewalk,’ said Jeffcoat.

But catching those who illegally ride dirt bikes or ATVs, many of which police say are stolen, is no easy task.

“The biggest challenge, and everyone knows, is that we don’t chase them,” said Philadelphia Police Lieutenant Ray Evers. “They’re illegal.”

Police are reaching out to the public for help and even using social media to spread the word. Their goal is to find the vehicles, destroy them and make sure they’re not resold.

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“The information that we’re trying to get from the public is where these ATV’s are being stored,” said Lieutenant Evers. “Do you know a location? Maybe there’s some backwoods or someone’s backyard.”

Lieutenant Evers says without the public’s help, there’s only so much they can do.

“Commissioner Ramsey says he wants them destroyed and that’s what the department wants,” said Lieutenant Evers. “We don’t want these resold because they’ll end up back on the street again.”

If you spot illegal dirt bike or ATV riding in your area, you can report it to police by texting “PPDTIP” or emailing tips@PhillyPolice.com.
 

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