ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Police departments with help from New York State Police are getting busy before the start of spring to try to put a stop to illegal ATV and dirt bike riding on city streets.
Rochester Police and the state police Aviation Unit recently recovered 14 illegal off-road vehicles and issued 49 traffic violations in just two afternoon patrols.
RPD Captain Greg Bello says the city’s impound lot is filling up fast with all kinds of vehicles as RPD and state police drones track and officers apprehend people out riding illegally. It’s not officially spring yet, and police departments in many communities are hearing complaints from residents.
"You can drive around the neighborhoods and see people driving these without helmets, driving them recklessly, driving them at high speeds and doing stunts," Bello said. "These are all things that are not meant for city streets and urban areas. Unfortunately, people die every year."
The RPD says not even one of the confiscated dirt bikes, minibikes, ATVs and even scooters are registered or inspected, and that some of them are stolen, with the VIN numbers scratched off. If anyone wants to get their ride out of impound, they face a towing fee, impound fee and a $500 fine. If it’s a second offense, that fine is $2,000.
"I hope ... that is getting out there that there is a danger associated with these and take them to a safe area," Bello said. "Take them to a legal area that is set up specifically for these, like private property that is out off the road where it is safe to operate these and have a good time with them."
Authorities want to make it clear they’re not going to stop these patrols and will seize any vehicles that are not street-legal.
