By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
With the arrival of spring, Providence girds for the return of illegal dirt bikes and ATVs, often used to terrorize residents, city officials say.
“So, what we want to do here today is get out in front of this as much as possible and reiterate our message to all the ATV riders on our streets, to not come,” said Mayor Jorge Elorza.
“Don’t come to Providence. Don’t ride your ATVs on our streets. And if you do, there are going to be consequences,” Elorza told reporters at a news conference Thursday in the Public Safety Complex.
“They’re not just illegal, but they’re illegal for a reason, because they’re dangerous,” said Elorza.
“We’ve already seen a number of people being injured, we’ve seen a lot of lawlessness that frankly makes folks feel significantly less safe,” Elorza said.
Similar news conferences in past years have featured some of the vehicles seized by police, or even public crushing of seized all-terrain vehicles or dirt bikes. This year, due to inclement weather, the event was moved indoors.
This year, officials are not revealing how they will pursue the vehicles, which are illegal to use on city streets, or what the ultimate outcome will be.
“We’re not going to explain our strategies, but one is the element of surprise with some of these bikers,” said Police Chief Hugh Clements. He said police had adapted their strategies over the years, consulting with other cities that have dealt with bikers.
“I would not use the word more aggressive,” Colonel Clements said. “What I would say is, we’ve become more surgical in our approach.”
He said police have seized about 97 of the illegal vehicles in the past year, 55 cases have been adjudicated, the others are still in the legal process.
Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare said the city has explored, but currently has no plans to set aside land to allow bikers to ride legally off city streets. The city has also given up plans to bar gas stations from selling gasoline to dirt bike and ATV owners, based on legal advice.
Officials asked the public to call police if they spot dirt bikes or ATVs on the streets, by calling 401-680-8288.
