Mayors Night In every first Tuesday of the Month.
Look for Mayor's Night Out to be able to stick out the Chief.
Call the Chief of Police.
Call Paul Bass, News Channel 8 or Better yet NBC30 problem solvers. This needs to get on the news its out of control.
If you showed NBC all of the Fix it postings on this matter it would really drive the point home.
Call the CT State Police or FBI and let them know the Police are not responding to these calls.
Note time of call and press the PD why they don't respond. The Police are required to respond to all complaints of violations of the law- it just doesn't specify WHEN !
Its going to take someone getting hurt before anything is done- try to stop this BEFORE that happens.

I strongly recommend taking photos and/or video whenever you're able, and either post them here or on a separate page and link them here. If you have any info about properties that are housing the dirt bikes, turn that over to th police, as well. They need information about who is riding these bikes and where they're housed. If anyone has ANY information about those two facts:

"Sgts. Anastasio and Zona are looking for tips on where dirt-bikers are hiding their illegal ATVs when they’re not riding them. It’s too dangerous to try to chase the bikes when they zip by on the street, so police are looking to catch them when they’re standing still, wherever it is that people garage them at night."

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/cops_help_us_nab_dirt_bikers/

http://youtu.be/iMH9ISW_G_I

pass this video on people

Dirt bikes tapered off for about a week, but started up again the last day or two....stronger police presence needed im the heights!!!!

they smile and wave at the police

still no action....still loud and disrupts quality of living. no police presence.

New Haven Coalition to Stop Illegal Traffic

The New Haven Coalition to STOP ILLEGAL TRAFFIC (SIT) on our streets had its second meeting on Sept. 18. Alderman Justin Elicker reported that since our meeting last month, the city has started a concerted effort to address the issue of dangerous and illegal use of dirt bikes, all terrain vehicles, and other illegal motorized vehicles on our streets. Currently, police do not have the authority to seize and hold illegally operated motorized bikes and ATVs. Therefore, violators can reclaim impounded vehicles shortly after being caught by paying a small fine to the towing company.
On September 18, 2012, SIT members decided that the quickest way to make our streets safer is to rally the community in support empowering the city to take more aggressive actions against illegally operated dirt bikes and ATVs.

What the city is doing:
1. The Corporation Counsel (the lawyer for the city) has been directed to explore the legality of the city taking possession of non-registered dirt bikes, atvs, etc. that have been operated illegally and destroying them. Other enforcement ordinances are also being explored.
2. The City is in conversation with state legislators about state-level action.

What Coalition members and supporters are being asked to do:
a. Call the Office of the Mayor (203)946-8200 and tell the Mayor that you are concerned about this issue and that you want results by next summer 2013.
or
b. Write to the Mayor at MayorDestefano@newhavenct.net. You may want to include the following points:
“I am a concerned citizen who is frustrated by the increase in use of illegally operated dirt bikes and ATVs on New Haven streets, inside New Haven Parks, and near playgrounds and other recreation areas. It is my understanding that the NHPD has a long standing no-chase policy, which I agree with given the chances that a chase could result in injury of an innocent bystander. However, more needs to be done. I support the city’s effort to create policies that will eliminate the reckless behavior before someone else is killed. We’ve had many close calls already in 2012; a little girl was hit by a dirt biker while waiting at a bus stop with her dad, and a dirt biker himself suffered life-threatening injuries after losing control of an unregistered illegally operated dirt bike. Please, do what is necessary. You have my support!"

I have called and written the Mayor's office per the suggestion above. I have spent the past two years calling the New Have Police non-emergency line to report the reckless driving of illegal dirt bikes, and there is no change at all. At this point it feels like an exercise in futility. Once the operator even said she was sending a responder and that it would "be a real shame if the kids weren't there when the police got there." I wholeheartedly agreed. Yesterday, I was encouraged by the above comment and I really agree that confiscating and destroying these bikes would be a much better solution to avoid the endless cycle currently going on all around our city of these kids being a complete menace and nuisance. I called, and was referred to the police, being told it was not a legislative issue, but a police issue, even though I asked for a legislative solution and mentioned I was not calling about a specific incident, but to try to create change. I have called the police again and again, this time I really want the City of New Haven to take action and be a catalyst for progressive change on this city-wide livability issue.

Can't you lean on your alderman to introduce legislation. They can do that, and some of them do. It could start a ball rolling.

Hi Bill,

Actually, I have had conversations with my alderman. He has not really followed up or shown interest. We have had better luck with our Neighborhood Association with another alderman who seems genuinely concerned. That alderman, Justin Elicker, has encouraged us to call the Mayor's office. At this point, I believe as residents of New Haven we need to lean on the City of New Haven to create change to alleviate this very serious problem.

@Bill: we all want this fixed. Sadly my alderman is non existent. So I've had to dedicate my personal time and energy into helping resolve this issue. Which is OK, I own that, I want a better City, one where myself and other citizens get involved and find long term solutions.

As I see it, this is a legislative issue, violators can reclaim impounded vehicles shortly after being caught by paying a small fine to the towing company, tougher consequences for driving recklessly and endangering others are just not written into law. A small fee will get you your bike back, and you can vroom vroom vroom til' your heart's content. The Mayor's office should have a better solution. Instead of passing the buck back to the Police Department.

There are issues on See Click Fix that are from 2008! The problem is still here and from the almost daily posts I see on here, it is only getting worse.

still nothing. 2 oclock in the morning last night, and all morning between 9-11am this morning. police do nothing, mayor does nothing. Fine. We're going to take care if it ourselves, the Fair Haven way.

The New Haven Coalition to STOP ILLEGAL TRAFFIC (SIT) on our streets had its second meeting on Sept. 18. Alderman Justin Elicker reported that since our meeting last month, the city has started a concerted effort to address the issue of dangerous and illegal use of dirt bikes, all terrain vehicles, and other illegal motorized vehicles on our streets. Currently, police do not have the authority to seize and hold illegally operated motorized bikes and ATVs. Therefore, violators can reclaim impounded vehicles shortly after being caught by paying a small fine to the towing company.
On September 18, 2012, SIT members decided that the quickest way to make our streets safer is to rally the community in support empowering the city to take more aggressive actions against illegally operated dirt bikes and ATVs.

What the city is doing:
1. The Corporation Counsel (the lawyer for the city) has been directed to explore the legality of the city taking possession of non-registered dirt bikes, atvs, etc. that have been operated illegally and destroying them. Other enforcement ordinances are also being explored.
2. The City is in conversation with state legislators about state-level action.

What Coalition members and supporters are being asked to do:
a. Call the Office of the Mayor (203)946-8200 and tell the Mayor that you are concerned about this issue and that you want results by next summer 2013.
or
b. Write to the Mayor at MayorDestefano@newhavenct.net. You may want to include the following points:
“I am a concerned citizen who is frustrated by the increase in use of illegally operated dirt bikes and ATVs on New Haven streets, inside New Haven Parks, and near playgrounds and other recreation areas. It is my understanding that the NHPD has a long standing no-chase policy, which I agree with given the chances that a chase could result in injury of an innocent bystander. However, more needs to be done. I support the city’s effort to create policies that will eliminate the reckless behavior before someone else is killed. We’ve had many close calls already in 2012; a little girl was hit by a dirt biker while waiting at a bus stop with her dad, and a dirt biker himself suffered life-threatening injuries after losing control of an unregistered illegally operated dirt bike. Please, do what is necessary. You have my support!"

Tired of this issue? Then show your support this Tuesday 11/13 @ 6 p.m., all should attend, no excuses! If not you, and us, then who? Tell everyone you know and bring them along if needed--lets pack the room, this may be our only chance for this type of City-wide meeting. Please distribute widely.

via Alderman Justin Elicker:
"There will be a public hearing on the dirt bike ATV issue Tuesday, 11/13 at 6pm in Board of Aldermen Chambers at City Hall. It's an opportunity for people to express their concerns about the dirt bike issue and for the City to talk about what we plan on doing. Could you all help get the word out?"

This issue was recategorized from Other to Policing Issue.

should be categorized as LACK OF POLICING issue.

Sick and tired of the unregistered, uninsured, often unlicensed, vroomm-vroomm-vrooomm? Then sign the petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/state-of-connecticut-general-assembly-new-haven-office-of-the-mayor-stop-the-use-of-illegally-operated-vehicles-on-new-haven-streets-and-parks

I will be closing dirt bike/ATV complaints that pre-date the conclusion of the police undercover operation (see www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/9_arrested_in_dirt_bike_sting/). I do not expect the dirt bike/ATV issue to be completely solved, but it will be helpful to policing efforts to distinguish new reports from those before this recent operation.

Please open up new SCF issues as dirt bike/ATV issues re-occur.

- Rob Smuts, Chief Administrative Officer