Boston Police seize 11 dirt bikes, ATVs amid complaints of ‘reckless’ off-road vehicles in city parks, streets
Boston Police seized 11 dirt bikes, mopeds and ATVs over the weekend in a crackdown to curb “reckless” off-roading after neighbors around Franklin Park sounded the alarm.
The vehicles were confiscated “as part of our ongoing efforts to address public safety complaints and quality-of-life concerns relative to large groups of recreational vehicles including dirt bikes, ATV’s, mopeds and motor scooters being driven around the city in a reckless and irresponsible manner,” police said.
Two dirt bikes and an ATV were rounded up around 7:45 p.m. Sunday from a rental box truck behind St. Matthew’s Parish Church in Dorchester after police observed the bikes and ATV being driving on city streets, according to a report.
Officers confiscated another eight recreational vehicles barely an hour later following an “overwhelming” number of community complaints about off-roading around 9 p.m. Police stopped a rental box truck based on a tip and found the vehicles stored in the back.
Three people will be cited for violating state auto laws and city ordinances in connection with the incidents, police said.
Jamaica Plain resident Dorothy Fennell, who has been outspoken on the safety concerns motorized vehicles pose, recently helped organize a community meeting to drum up solutions. She said speed bumps and message boards set up to deter off-roaders and warn them of potential fines, “seem to have really worked well, anecdotally.”
“There hasn’t been any big bike energy happening at the park lately,” Fennell said.
Parks Commissioner Ryan Woods said city officials are “still seeing” bike activity, but added he’s glad neighbors are noticing a difference. He’s working to set up the mayor’s new task force to find permanent solutions.
“It’s a work in progress,” Woods said, “something we will continue to work on and hopefully with having community members, city officials and others at the table, we’ll find a way for Franklin Park to be that welcoming, accepting park for everybody.”
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2T3xjrd
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