DC To Crush Illegal Dirt Bikes As Part Of New Zero Tolerance Policy
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The city has launched an aggressive push to rid the city of the rogue motorcycle gangs that threaten drivers and pedestrians. The city will hold a public crush-in to destroy confiscated bikes as part of a zero tolerance policy push.
Amy Yensi has more.
Dirt bike riders weave through traffic, performing hair-raising stunts. It's illegal to ride them on Baltimore streets but it's been happening for years. Now nearby cities like DC and New York are also cracking down.
"Especially with the weather getting warmer; not surprised at all that they're seeing some of the same concerns," said TJ Smith, Baltimore City police.
Smith says dirt bikes and ATVs put drivers and pedestrians at risk. He points to recent deaths of pedestrians, killed by dirt bikes in Baltimore. Now officials across the region are stepping up enforcement.
"Enough is enough so what we have been able to do over the course of these operations is capture some very clear images," said DC Police Chief Cathy Lanier.
Lanier reveals over 20 images of suspected dirt bike and ATV riders after a string of illegal stunts including a ride that disrupted traffic on the Beltway and a Maryland parks officer being run over by an ATV.
Some riders say they're being targeted unfairly.
"Those are our heroes you're putting pictures up of. That's ridiculous," said Paul Squires.
"The folks who do this think they have a right to bother everyone else," said New York City mayor Bill DeBlasio.
This week, Mayor DeBlasio announced plans for a public crush-in of confiscated bikes.
With the warmer months fast approaching, Baltimore City police say their strategy is to get ahead of the dirt bike issue.
"We did the traffic calming last year. If we have to do something like that again this year, that's what we're going to have to do," Smith said.
The DC riders that can be identified will be arrested and their bikes will be destroyed. There's no such initiative here in Baltimore.
Officials are considering creating an urban park to give people a place to ride in Baltimore.
