Call in the time you see them, and the location.
That’s among the critical pieces of intelligence cops need from citizens who want to help them track and apprehend dirt bikers and ATVs terrorizing citizens on city streets as the weather warms up.
That advice came from East Rock District Manager Lt. Manmeet Colon in her report to the members of the East Rock Community Management Team Wednesday night.
The team gathered, 20 or so strong, via the Zoom teleconferencing app, in a meeting hosted by the Chair David Budries.
In response to calls from residents and spearheaded by East Rock Alder Anna Festa, Colon said she devised a plan, including motorcycle and plainclothes cops, to patrol East Rock’s park area, where ATVs and other illegal vehicles have endangered pedestrians.
The park areas, including the road to the summit, have been closed to all vehicles to permit people to get out safely and with sufficient distancing during the pandemic.
Colon said Chief Otoniel Reyes approved the plan and it was operational last weekend and will be this weekend as well.
“People are passionate about this issue,” Colon said and another motorcycle detail will be riding the roads, including to the summit, this weekend, she said.
In the discussion that followed, Festa thanked Colon for the initiative. She recounted challenging a group of ATV riders in Rice Field, informing them that they are not allowed to be there. She also called the police non-emergency number to report the incident. “Don’t you do it,” she said to members of the group.
“Do not engage them,” Colon stressed. Contrary to what the alder did, “Do not approach them.” Especially do not engage, Colon advised, if you are a motorist and the groups are accompanying, surrounding you, or hassling you as you drive.
Thomas Breen Photo
Cops with recently seized vehicles.
Resist doing the things “you want to do in your head,” like opening your door on them, she said.“If they hover around you, just stay in your lane and call us.”
Then Festa elicited from Colon the type of info the police need to help in the effort.
“How much detail do you want the caller to provide?” she asked.
Information like “the kinds of bikes, whether they’re wearing masks or not,” Colon responded.
Most important is the time the riders were spotted and the route they took, she said.
She also said police could use information about trailers loading or unloading dirt bikes and ATVs and any sightings of vehicles being stored in garages or sheds. With the time noted.
The number to call is 203 – 946-6316.
And are the cops going to enforce the laws in the heights? They are up here racing and/or tearing up Fairmont park every afternoon. Calls to the cops achieve nothing. Most of us in the neighborhood have given up calling them in.
We can't use the park, the noise is outrageous, and they endanger themselves, pedestrians, and cars.
10 years + this has been a problem.