9 Arrested In Day Of Dirt-Bike Mayhem

by Paul Bass | Sep 9, 2019 11:57 am

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Posted to: Legal Writes, Bishop Woods/ Q Meadows, The Heights, True Vote

On a day of wild pack rides on New Haven streets, police caught up with and arrested nine dirt bikers and ATV drivers — and faced 50-60 riders who circled and tried to steal a cop cruiser. The mayhem occurred on Sunday. Throughout the day Independent readers reported 50 to over 100 dirt bikers and ATV riders at a time speeding recklessly, from the Boulevard to Orange Street to Edgewood Avenue, from Whalley Avenue to Dixwell Avenue to Route 80. The police decided to pull a crew of undercover officers from other jobs Sunday afternoon in order to respond, according to Assistant Chief Karl Jacobson. They went out looking for the packs of mayhem riders — who weren’t hard to find. For instance, Officers Jeffrey Rivellini, Anthony Magnano and Jeremy Mastroianni found a dirt biker doing burnouts in the Shell gas station lot at 1228 Quinnipiac Ave. in the Heights. The rider tried to flee when he saw officers exit their cruiser. The officers were able to apprehend him, according to Jacobson. The rider, a 26-year-old Meriden man, was charged with reckless endangerment and possession of a controlled substance. Police seized the man’s Kawasaki 450 as well. Officers Gregory Dash, Paul Vakos Jr., and Paul Prusinski caught up with another dirt-biker stopped on the side of Clinton Avenue near Dover in Fair Haven. That rider, a 23-year-old Fair Haven man, also tried to flee. Officers tackled him and arrested him for recklessness endangerment and possession with intent to sell, based on the 17 bags of crack and non-prescribed Tramado and Clonazepam pills they found on him, according to Jacobson. One of the tensest moments of the day occurred on Dixwell Avenue around 6 p.m. Officers Larnell Jackson and David Santiago were near the intersection of Bassett Street when they saw 50-60 ATV riders and dirt bikers driving recklessly, according to police spokeswoman Sgt. Shayna Kendall. The bikers circled the officers’ cruiser and drove on the sidewalk as well as recklessly in the street. The officers tried to avoid the riders while also avoid endangering other drivers, Kendall said. At one point, near the intersection of Argyle Street, an ATV driver entered the officers’ lane, heading right at them — and failed to notice an Acura driving toward him. The Acura stopped. The ATV flipped over, without colliding with the Acura, and the ATV rider fell off his vehicle, Kendall reported. The rider fled on foot. Santiago and Jackson chased him on foot. They caught him and handcuffed him ... ... at which point they noticed other members of the pack of riders trying to enter their abandoned police cruiser and drive away with it, according to Kendall. Santiago rushed back. The riders fled. They were masked and could not be identified. All told, the officers arrested nine people in various parts of town on charges related to operating ATVs and dirt bikes recklessly. Six of the arrestees live in New Haven, Kendall said, the one in Meriden, another in Stratford, another in New Jersey. The arrestees are all 23 years old or older—the eldest being 39. “Any time we can put a dent in this problem,” the police try, Jacobson said of Sunday’s arrests. He also spoke of the challenges police face in trying to make arrests, given a policy of avoiding car chases that could further endanger riders, cops and the public. That has been the subject of much public debate in New Haven in recent years, including at this public forum. The police are putting together proposals for catching more offenders. One part of the proposal will probably include a city ordinance that would allow cops to issue summonses with $1,000 fines when, through intelligence, they identify a reckless dirt biker and can head right to his home — rather than begin a lengthy process of seeking a warrant for a misdemeanor arrest. The idea is to seek to deter repeat offenses with a heavy, swift fine, but without adding to a rider’s criminal record. “It’s a big problem. It’s difficult to address. We know how important it is to the citizens. And we want to address it. More importantly, we want to address it safely for officers and riders,” Jacobson said. One controversial proposal has been to use drones to track riders and provide information based on which police could make arrests. That has emerged as an issue in the Democratic mayoral primary campaign between incumbent Toni Harp and Justin Elicker. Click here to read about that; pictured below is a flyer the Harp campaign distributed this weekend in advance of Tuesday’s primary.

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posted by: quinnipiacave on September 9, 2019 12:18pm Congratulations to the cops for what they were able to do. It was quite a day! Smaller packs were going up and down Quinnipiac Avenue and Front Street earlier, and in the afternoon I saw the pack of at least 50-75+ drive by, with and without masks, popping wheelies, speeding into the oncoming lane to pass cars, driving on the sidewalks, etc. In addition to all of the measures mentioned in the article (though I have absolutely NO concern with keeping their criminal records clean!), the use of drones should definitely be looked into. Mayor Harp lost my vote with that cheap attempt at an attack ad. It’s ridiculous to have masked bandits roaming the streets threatening not only the quality of life, they threaten public safety and actual lives with their continued contempt and lawbreaking. And, while congratulating the cops, it’s sad the mayhem has to reach these proportions before something’s done. There may not be 100 dirtbikes and ATVs on the streets every weekend, but smaller groups engaged in similar antics regularly and repeatedly are. It makes one long for winter and freezing temperatures.

posted by: CatDude on September 9, 2019 12:25pm Saw one of these crews of 50+ going down Whitney. My kids enjoyed watching some of the riders pop wheelies. I was not as enthused watching some of these folks ride their dirt bikes up on sidewalks. Shocker that so many pulled over also were carrying narcotics. Elicker is right, we should use drone for this. However, gotta hand it to Harp, that attack ad is a pretty good way of twisting the truth.

posted by: newhavenishome on September 9, 2019 12:27pm Can we get the ages of the remaining arrested drivers? I see that one was 26, and one was 23, grown adult men. They should be prosecuted criminally. Civil prosecution should be an option for those 20 years and younger only. Good work NHPD.

posted by: Gretchen Pritchard on September 9, 2019 12:32pm This is obviously a bigger deal than just a few reckless young men amusing themselves by making noise and taking risks. If they are coming from out of town and even out of state, traveling in packs of 50 to 100, and carrying significant quantities of hard drugs, this is a deliberate, organized breach of peace, and a deliberate case of “see what we can get away with and how much we can harass the New Haven cops.”

posted by: Hill Resident on September 9, 2019 12:35pm First - THANK YOU NEW HAVEN PD for your work in the arrests and seizures of these bikers and bikes. I am glad no innocent persons or officers were injured during the recklessness of the bikers. The city was overrun with these menaces this weekend ad I am glad you were able to put a dent in it. And if any of the bikers got bruised while being tackled or loosing control of their bike ... OH WELL!!!! The havoc and terror they wreak in my neighborhood as through the rest of New Haven is unacceptable. We have families outside and children playing on my street who have to constantly be on look out for the parade of illegal dirt bikes and ATV’s that tear down the wrong way up the one way street of Truman!!! So sympathy… I got’s none! Now as for the ad about Justin Elicker’s advocating the use of drones by NHPD to track illegal dirt bike activity and the offenders ... they should be ashamed for this ad. Showing a drone hovering outside an window in view of an unmade bed is misleading to say the least. After attending a Hill North Community Management Team meeting where we residents expressed frustration about dirt bikes, Elicker wrote the post: “There are things we can do to better address theses issues. For example, with dirt bikes we have a no chase policy, but we could use drones to follow the bikes and ATVs until they need to gas up.” He never said ‘police should use drones to spy on our neighborhood’. So thank you to ALL the officers who made the ‘round up’ this Sunday happen. And if any of the illegally driving, near accident causing, disregard for public safety riders got arrested, lost their vehicles or got their feelings hurt ... OH WELL!

posted by: Patricia Kane on September 9, 2019 12:36pm The police understandably feel constrained by rules barring a dangerous chase that could result in deaths, but these guys are a menace and have to be stopped.

They like to ride in convoys and the noise is deafening.

Watching their antics on one wheel at a high speed, I fear some will die. I’m also concerned that they’ll take pedestrians on sidewalks or crossing the street out as well.

A big thanks to Dennis Serfillipi for hosting 2 community events with residents and police to discuss putting an end to this terrorism. The problem has persisted for a decade and has to be solved.

The ATVs are illegal. The riders get off on violating the law and daring the police to come after them.

The police exercised great restraint yesterday.

Hit ‘em in the wallet and see how much they like being outlaws.

posted by: Noteworthy on September 9, 2019 12:57pm This is what happens when the mayor says she won’t use drones or much of anything else to stop this madness. These people should also be charged with resisting arrest and anything else that will add time and money to their reckless behavior.

posted by: Thomas Alfred Paine on September 9, 2019 1:10pm No one should be commended for lying, especially the chief elected official of this city.

Justin Elicker is not running to be mayor of this city to be the Spy-in-the Sky Chief as Toni Harp would have us all believe!

Today for the umpteenth time, I saw the Harp campaign television fiction ad accusing Justin Elicker of supporting the use of drones to invade the privacy of New Haven residents. In the print version of that lie, the Harp campaign implies that Elicker wants to use drones to spy on the Black community!

This story about the dirt bike mayhem ravishing parts of our city speaks to the police department’s valid consideration of the use of drones to more safely and effectively track down these road terrorists and protect resident drivers and pedestrians!

How does a New Haven police policy consideration to use drones become a campaign attack against Elicker? Why does no one in authority in this city correct the record and refute the lies? What does it say about the incumbent mayor and her campaign if she is willing to stoop to blatant lies about this and other matters in order to try to win re-election?

Mayor Harp should be willing to stand on her record alone without resorting to fictitious accusations and Trumpian conspiracy theories to attack Justin Elicker!

posted by: Urn Pendragon on September 9, 2019 1:39pm As I’ve researched & proposed at a mayoral forum 2 months ago, Atlanta implemented modified police dirt bikes for long distance ranges. Drones are just too much & looses the trust of residents.

Although, dirt bikes & ATVs used as drug smuggling transportation is not a new phenomenon. It does seem that it became very widespread in our city.

I want to take a moment to thank the dedicated officers for putting their lives on the line to protect us & for getting drugs off the streets. Urn Pendragon

posted by: ShadowBoxer on September 9, 2019 1:56pm I am a huge proponent of a second chance society, automatic expungement of criminal convictions after ten years and pardons reform, but for the life of me I don’t understand why there is so much fawning over not giving these menacing thugs a criminal record. They should definitely be prosecuted criminally. I am disappointed that the voting graph at left formulates the option as “increase civil, but not criminal” consequences. I vote for both. Yesterday at College and Chapel about 50 drivers were holding drivers at the intersection hostage by circling vehicles and blocking traffic - drivers could not move and were terrified. Then several riders drove up upon the sidewalk and played chicken w/ pedestrians causing one to dive into the street. And the ones that were caught were dealing crack and Klonopin??? On the streets where my kids play? Playing chicken with drivers, attempting to steal cop cars?? Arrest these thugs, jail; them and fine them. They are endangering the lives of all residents. And we know how this ends: with a biker killing a Yalie and then all hell will break lose. Moreover some neighborhoods I have heard are planning vigilante activity since all we read about is “protecting” the rider and their records. These are hoodlums, thugs, criminals and ones that are violent and endanger the safety of children. Finally, Toni Harp should FIRE whomever did the mailer about the drones and Elicker. The ad is racially charged and misleading. He in no way intended for any drones to quote spy on neighborhoods. I know of at least thirty Harp supporters - including myself - who saw that ad and decided it was such a blatant racially charged lie that they switched to Justin. Mayor Harp: my supposition is that divisive and racially charged lie may have very well cost you the election. Shame on you for “approving” that message, which was essentially approving of a lie. Jail the riders and to hell w/ their precious records. Keep our kids safe!

posted by: Mrs. Lot on September 9, 2019 2:04pm This has been an issue for years. Reckless, dangerous, annoying, stupid. Enough already, just get these idiots off the streets and make it hurt to break the law. Find a common sense approach that will work and try it. Mayor Harp has done NOTHING. This is beyond an embarrassment. It makes a mockery of the whole city. A $1,000 fine seems low. Whatever tactic can identify the perpetrators, introduce evidence that holds up in court, and leads to confiscating and destroying these dangerous toys. Before someone gets killed. Anything in the criminal code that you can charge these guys with, go ahead and do it. Enough already, this is shameful. How much longer do we have to put up with it?

posted by: Patricia Kane on September 9, 2019 2:29pm RE: Harp’s lying “drone” commercial - “We all know which neighborhoods Elicker is talking about” is code for saying communities of color will be the target of spying. If that isn’t an incitement to racial division, what is?

There’s no basis for this claim; just another routine political smear that further alienates the public, while reinforcing the worst fears of people of color.

Once again Harp has hit us with another payoff for another wrongful terminations in the amount of $375,000 (exclusive of legal fees), but tries to divert attention from the real failures of her 6 years to create a dystopian fantasy worthy of “Blade Runner”.

Win or lose, the people behind this fiction have lost any remnant of their dignity or credibility by taking this route, along with the delusional accusations of a Trump conspiracy with State Dem. head, Vinnie Mauro.

The policies that created zones of poverty and crime are reason to be angry and to want to see powerful and immediate change. Pitting people against each other doesn’t provide a remedy; just a distraction.

posted by: mrschramm on September 9, 2019 2:35pm Great work by the NHPD in their efforts to curb these dirt bike and ATV riders. They are a menace to the city, and not just people driving their cars on the roads, but people on sidewalks, residents with their windows open, people out in parks, etc. Not to mention the riders themselves! I like the idea of barring gas stations from serving these types of vehicles. Perhaps a city ordinance could be written allowing those with these vehicles on tow hitches to still fill up, since in all likelihood they would be heading to places where one can legally ride a dirt bike or ATV. I also like the idea of increasing civil penalties. What if dirt bike and ATV riders were forced to clean up the very streets they use through some kind of community service? Seems like a better solution than heavy fines or criminal prosecutions, which would just serve to reinforce class and race hierarchies. As for drones, I for one am completely opposed to their use for police surveillance purposes. While Mayor Harp’s rhetoric is inflammatory, I do think she has a point. “We’re just monitoring the dirt bike riders and ATV riders!” they would cry. What would stop a drone’s camera from seeing into a residence whose occupants are not reasonably suspected of committing a crime? Would that not be a violation of privacy? How would the drones even be useful in this capacity? Would NHPD drones follow riders to their homes? Would their be a judge permanently available to issue warrants? Doubtful. More generally, do we want to live in a city under constant police surveillance? The sacrifices inherent in implementing this kind of policy are not at all worth the scant benefits.

posted by: cellardoor on September 9, 2019 2:41pm So I suppose the Harp campaign will claim that the Elicker campaign arranged for a dirt bike convoy to disrupt the peace and harass pedestrians on the Sunday before the Tuesday 9/11 primary?

posted by: IloveMYcity203 on September 9, 2019 2:59pm Everyone is going crazy about drones. The fact is, nobody walks around looking up in the sky for hours straight; therefore, you don’t have any idea if drones are already in use by law enforcement (ATF, DEA, FBI, NHPD, CIA, US Marshalls etc.) in New Haven. At 1400 feet in the air, you won’t be able to see it unless you look VERYYYY hard. During the night, if someone is using the Mavic Pro, which is black, you definitely won’t see it. The Phantom is white, so you won’t see that during the day. A great suggestion is to hire trusted civilians to use the drones like they have people who do block watches. These are people who are trusted sources by law enforcement. I personally can take my drone, take pictures of dirtbikes gathering at a location from 1,000 feet in the air and anonymously send it to the tip line and nobody would no a thing. Lastly, nobody is using drones to spy on New Haven residents. Stop drinking the cool-aid. If residents believe that about Elicker, then they have a lot more issues to deal with hahaha [excuse any typos and/or grammatical errors]

posted by: DMH464 on September 9, 2019 4:07pm I find it quite funny that the Harp camp is obviously trying to smear Elicker with the drone commercial. About 4 or so years ago I attended a drone demonstration that was hosted by the City of New Haven which Harp attended displaying at UAV that the city wanted to purchase to the time of 80,000 per unit. I know she was there because I stood next to her and had a conversation about how much she thought it was a excellent idea. I personally believe that UAV’s are the future and police should begin to integrate them into their daily operations BUT with strict oversight and clear rules as to avoid misuse. We are constantly being surveilled so the public should be used to it. For example look how that have build a case in the Fotis Dulos warrant. Most of it he warrant is tracking a truck with surveillance cameras. Full transparency I don’t not endorse either candidate for Mayor but I have a terrible feeling that she will once again get re-elected.

posted by: AverageTaxpayer on September 9, 2019 4:36pm Is there an election tomorrow? The timing of this suggests electioneering and a last-minute desperate attempt at votes. When was the new chief of police selected? And was this headline-making crackdown part of the deal?

posted by: Paul Wessel on September 9, 2019 4:48pm Those “mayhem riders” scare the heck out of me. Apart from the immediate danger, they make the city feel out of control and Mad-Max like. And the city’s no-chase policy makes sense, so what other tools might we use? Drones seem worthy of discussion and, if the current mayor hasn’t poisoned the water too much, maybe we can have a rational discussion about this soon at the Board of Alders. Might be good to start with the ACLU policy - drafted 8 years ago - which concludes: “UAVs [Unmanned Aerial Vehicles] are potentially extremely powerful surveillance tools, and that power, like all government power, needs to be subject to checks and balances. Like any tool, UAVs have the potential to be used for good or ill. If we can set some good privacy ground rules, our society can enjoy the benefits of this technology without having to worry about its darker potentials. We impose regulations on what law enforcement can do all the time, for example allowing law enforcement to take a thermal image of someone’s home only when they get a warrant. We need to impose rules, limits and regulations on UAVs as well in order to preserve the privacy Americans have always expected and enjoyed.” https://www.aclu.org/report/protecting-privacy-aerial-surveillance-recommendations-government-use-drone-aircraft

posted by: mr-blackhippy on September 9, 2019 5:21pm No to drones. No to surveillance. No to following people home. Address the conditions that make this a problem and the problem will be solved. Criminalization isn’t necessary.

posted by: Dennis Serf on September 9, 2019 5:45pm Please sign and share the petition asking the city to adopt a stronger ordinance to combat the illegal dirt bikes. I spoke with Lt. Jacobson today. A draft of the ordinance is being finalized by the City’s Corporation Counsel. Please sign and send a message to the alders that the police need new legislation in order to effectively and safely address the problem. Link to petition

https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/help-stop-the-illegal-dirt-bikes Thank you,

Dennis Serfilippi

https://www.facebook.com/SerfilippiForAlder-675305186265543/

posted by: Mikefromthehouse on September 9, 2019 6:23pm Good job NHPD, I see nothing wrong with a few riders, out having fun, riding safety, And most of the time the police won’t even bother them, but when they start riding in between cars, taking people’s paint and side view mirrors off, flying down the sidewalks when children are outside playing, and just looking for a reason to harass the police, then yes you need to be pulled over and arrested.

posted by: Mikefromthehouse on September 9, 2019 6:28pm Good job New Haven PD, I have no issue with a few riders going out having fun, riding safely, and most of the time the police wont even bother them, if they are being safe, But coming out, swarming the streets in numbers going the wrong way, riding in between cars, taking people’s paint and side view mirrors off, flying down sidewalks when children are outside playing, then yes you should be pulled over/tackled and arrested.

posted by: Bricoleur on September 9, 2019 6:31pm The off-road maniac packs have plagued the city for years. It is a difficult problem to find a solution to for the multitude of reasons we see in the article & comments above.

Harp supporters are seemingly willing to go over to the Elicker camp because of the flyer though? It seems like Harp’s transparent commentary on Elicker is considered a smear, when Elicker’s transparent commentary of Harp is accepted as righteous. Plenty sick and tired of The Independent propagating that slant over the course of the campaigns.

I believe Elicker would use drones for “various neighborhood challenges”, a vague & PC phrase that I believe he does intend to mean neighborhoods that are not like his own. I don’t believe Elicker will step foot into many of the neighborhoods Mr. Knock-on-every door claims inclusive as his constituents, which are not like his own neighborhood, if he is elected.

I hope it is plain to anyone with open eyes that the Elicker camp is not as transparent, ethical, or innocent as they purport to be.

My personal position is that both candidates leave something to be desired as regards taking the city onward & upward in a manner that serves us as well as we wish & know could be. That leaves me in the position of voting for the lesser of two weevils, a common political reality these days. I have viewed both candidates & their records completely and impartially, considered accountability

and personality, as well as I am able.

Wont you?

posted by: joanne. on September 9, 2019 7:59pm I was caught up in this mayhem I am from out of town and was visiting a sick friend in the hospital. We were on Whalley Ave, When a fight broke out between 3 riders other bikes and atv’s were swarming around our car as we were stuck in the middle of it all and could not move our car. Car in front of us was being smashed by Atv and a bike. The police came and got the three fighting handcuffed we were literally like 6 feet from the police. At first we thought they were doing a run for a charity it was clear it was not when the 100+ bikers had us trapped. My two friends and I were scared out of minds thinking guns were going to be drawn our car can be seen in the video blocked. I will not be going to New Heaven any time soon. It was a very dangerous situation and I feel so bad for the people that have to live with the disrespectful, dangerous, bikers who think they own the city roads Thank you to the police that were there so quickly what a dangerous job they have these bikers did not care I saw a few trying to scuffle with the police.

posted by: Dennis Serf on September 9, 2019 8:02pm Here are the ages and home locations for those arrested, courtesy of a Mayor Harp Press Release.

Those arrested were: Male, 25, New Jersey

Male, 33, Stratford

Male, 26, Meriden

Male, 23, New Haven

Male, 33, New Haven

Male, 23, New Haven

Male, 39, New Haven

Male, 24, New Haven

Male, 23, New Haven

posted by: Patricia Kane on September 9, 2019 8:36pm @Paul Wessel: We definitely need a community hearing on the use of drones.

I don’t share your implied optimism that we can create rules that will protect people’s privacy, however. Every tool we invent can be abused somewhere, sometime by someone.

We still arm police with Tasers, even though hundreds of people have died from them.

We still arm police with guns, even though unarmed people have been shot dead.

Why should drones be exempt from abuse?

It’s way past 1984, but our dystopian future is already here. Just ask Ed Snowden and Julian Assange.

Why do we have to rely on technology instead of the expensively trained police we pay to do a job?

posted by: Patricia Kane on September 9, 2019 8:41pm @Dennis Serf: so much for the image of young testosterone driven teens without proper recreational outlets.

The police told us at the first community meeting you organized that the majority of violators were adult males and from out of town!

These are not kids, but adults who know better and enjoy playing outlaws.

posted by: Bill Saunders on September 9, 2019 9:15pm Patricia Kane, You are too kind.

This people are genuine community threats! Somehow, they think New Haven has given them a Green Light to justify and continue their years of public ‘street terrorism’. Where is the plan to stop this?

Was this action the political ‘Sunday Surprise’? What took you people in charge so god-damned long to deal straight-up with this issue.

Frankly, it is an embarrassment. Mayor Harp pulled a similar sort of stunt, disguised as a ‘campaign caravan’ just the day before! I hope these nine ‘mauraders’ get their due. I hope this ‘organized mayhem’ stops.

The public cries have been deafening for years!!!!! Two days before the election, finally some action…. What a surprise (and a mixed message, given Harp’s Illegal PR Parade)

posted by: Bill Saunders on September 9, 2019 9:24pm Illegal Bikers caught on a usual Sunday—ZERO

Illegal Bikers caught on the Sunday before the election—9 Draw. your own contusions…..

posted by: Christian Bruckhart on September 9, 2019 9:56pm Q: Why do we have to rely on technology instead of the expensively trained police we pay to do a job? - Attorney Kane A: Because it’s the 21st century and it’s been proven more effective, efficient and safe than the local constable on horseback.

posted by: bikyst on September 9, 2019 10:05pm With over 200 riders and only 9 arrested, I’d say the NHPD should have arrested a lot more than this number of unregistered riders. The police are constrained by the No Chase policy that’s been set up. Thank you for arresting nine unregistered drivers. Too bad you couldn’t get more of them. When is the State Police or Federal gov’t gonna address these quality of life issues in smaller cities? I bet this non-sense doesn’t occur as often in major cities. New Haven is a great city for everyone, but someone at a higher level than City Gov’t needs to get involved at fixing these issues and maybe the unregistered riders will stop.

posted by: THREEFIFTHS on September 10, 2019 12:22am Like I said before. posted by: THREEFIFTHS on June 21, 2019 5:54pm Here is a better way.If you buy a moped or dirt bike from a dealer or person.They should not sell to the buyer with out the buyer having insurance and a license. If the dealer or person sells to the buyer with out the buyer having insurance and a license.Then they two should face a fine.

posted by: Dennis Serf on September 10, 2019 1:48am Bikyst: Q. When is the State Police or Federal gov’t gonna address these quality of life issues in smaller cities? A. When the politicos think its important. The police and the average citizen already feel it should be a priority. Mayor Harp and the BOA do not. This is why its Asst Chief Jacobson that come up with the new legislation after meeting with and speaking to the community.Jacobson is showing what leadership is all about. MAYOR HARP AND HER STAFF WERE INVITED TO THE MTGS ON DIRT BIKES BUT DIDNT SHOW.

posted by: CityYankee on September 10, 2019 5:08am When ELicker notes that NH is out of control with lawlessness; he is correct. Laws are on the books about dirt bikes, non-registered mopeds etc on the road. What about the noise cars and motorcycles roaring up and down streets, running stop signs, on their cell phones, music blasting, tossing trash wherever they go? All these laws are in place. Why are the police not enforcing the laws? The answer must be that they get their orders from above to not enforce. Like Chief Pastore telling cops not to go after small drug dealers . A lawless city cannot survive. People will flee an they will take their business with them. NH is at a crossroads in this election. I hope they vote for CHANGE and ORDER.

posted by: DMH464 on September 10, 2019 6:05am “Why do we have to rely on technology instead of the expensively trained police we pay to do a job” Are you seriously asking this question??? Last I checked police are indeed extensively trained in all aspects of LE and physically as well however I haven’t seen a police officer that can chase down a dirt bike on foot, I mean without technology that’s how they would have to do it. Sure they can do some investigatory work and perhaps catch a few but that doesn’t help when you have a gang of them on the road terrorizing the public and police alike. The “old way” to catch these clowns is to chase them, period. However there is a pursuit policy in place that ties the hands of the police, not to mention that there is no LE Officer that’s going to chase a rider and risk the chance of losing their job and pension in the event the rider or worse a innocent bystander gets killed. It’s not worth it for them. The community WILL NOT support the police, it’s a fact that they know all too well. They would be crucified. I’m sure you haven’t benefited from technology in your chosen field. I’m mean why should you use a computer or smartphone when you have been extensively trained to do you job. I suppose I’ll get a reply on this comment in a few days as it will be mailed in, why use technology to reply immediately.

posted by: KingoftheBoulevard on September 10, 2019 8:19am This is a nearly unsolvable problem so I commend the NHPD in apprehending some of these riders. Forget the fines, these bikes need to be confiscated and not returned to riders under any circumstances, and either melted down or sold out of state. I tell people that New Haven looks like Mad Max Fury Road when these riders are out and as mentioned above, only serves to prevent visitors from wanting to come to the city.

posted by: Mrs. Lot on September 10, 2019 9:43am To the individual who stated: “Address the conditions that make this a problem and the problem will be solved.” The conditions are the bikes and the selfish individuals (adults) who choose to endanger themselves and others. Take the bikes off the streets and take the individuals who ride them off the streets. These are not children acting out. These are adults who know exactly what they are doing. Whether from out of town or right here, they belong in jail. To the individual who further stated: “Criminalization isn’t necessary.” An appropriate police and legal response, long overdue, is not criminalization. What we have here is a public menace in the form of criminal activity. Re-read the article and some of the statements in the comments from witnesses who were there. Crimes were being committed and the police did not have the resources needed to restore the peace. This problem lacks a solution only because there has not been a serious response. Not the NHPD fault.

posted by: OverTheRiverThruTheHood on September 10, 2019 10:02am I live in the Heights and think using drones is a great idea. I could hear the revving of engines that entire night, its out of control and dangerous. I voted for Elicker this morning, and this issue was the clincher for me. Toni has done nothing to stop this and that ad was just over the line.

posted by: William Kurtz DMH464"The “old way” to catch these clowns is to chase them, period. However there is a pursuit policy in place that ties the hands of the police, not to mention that there is no LE Officer that’s going to chase a rider and risk the chance of losing their job and pension in the event the rider or worse a innocent bystander gets killed. It’s not worth it for them.” Yeah, I imagine it’s not worth it for the innocent bystander, either. Interesting that your primary concern is someone’s pension. “The community” wants a solution that doesn’t make the problem infinitely worse, with action-movie car chases going on all over town. I appreciate the difficulty of this challenge and how much political support that solution is going to require.

posted by: Patricia Kane on September 10, 2019 10:17am @Lt. Christian Bruckhart:

Where is the evidence (lawyer term) for the effectiveness of any of the technology our military grade civilian police forces so lovingly embrace?

Were the taser deaths worth it? Why haven’t they been banned?

Was pepper spray only used sparingly and in limited circumstances, or were civil rights protesters targeted when police became upset because a pinata of Trump was hit with a stick?

What will happen with facial recognition technology? Will the police promise to use it only for the “bad guys” or will the rest of us end up in a data bank we’ll never know about. Will police or private corporations seek our permission before putting us in data bank or will it become a condition of employment? or of travel?

Some of us actually have to think about the long term effects of technology. Check out Bill McKibben’s excellent “Falter” and read about how many of the tech leaders are followers of Ayn Rand and see themselves as geniuses constrained by government. Few of them even like people and would happily replace all of us with robots.

So why can’t we have robots patrol our streets if the police can’t do it?

And why not just have cameras every 100’ or so to catch someone stealing a bike or jaywalking?

How much surveillance are you willing to live with in exchange for the illusion of increased safety?

Technology is NOT a panacea.

Instead of focusing on new means of control, we should be addressing the escalating, gross income inequality where 5% of the people have as much wealth as the the other 95%. Focus on the lack of opportunity, the bigotry and the history of oppression of people of color, the Rust Belt workers tossed aside by mega corporations that pay NO taxes and send jobs out of the country where desperate people will work for so much less and there’s no need to worry about pollution laws.

When will the NHPD embrace the “sanctity of life” standard?

posted by: Ravenclaw on September 10, 2019 11:36am The wild ride passed me rounding the corner from Cedar Hill onto Orange Street. There were well over 100 bikes and ATVs - more like 200, plus camera-toting pickup trucks; the convoy kept going & going. Two things were obvious. First, this was a planned event - one that the city authorities were wholly ignorant of, meaning that they haven’t developed very good informant networks. Second, this was intended as an act of defiance. There’s been a lot of talk about clamping down on noisy joy-riders who disrupt the streets, but essentially no action. It’s reached the point where the rowdier riders feel that they can act with impunity, police be damned. And they’re mostly right, because 9 arrests in a mob of over 200 (and those arrested being separated from the herd) means you’re more than 95% sure of getting away with mayhem. Unless we come up with a more effective solution, they’re only going to up the ante, vandalizing cars & property and terrorizing passers-by.

posted by: LookOut on September 10, 2019 12:41pm We need to get serious about stopping these terrorists (i.e those who spread terror among the people)? Yes, give the police more tools. Yes, use more technology. Whatever it takes.

posted by: quinnipiacave on September 10, 2019 12:49pm @ Patricia Kane Whoa, rein in the Luddite conspiracy panic just a bit! It’s facile to compare the harms from Tasers and pepper spray (weapons after all) to drones, which are a surveillance tool. A more comparable analogy might be wire taps, which have been effectively used by law enforcement for decades. Is there the potential for abuse? Sure. But useless hand wringing isn’t the answer. For those who think it’s ok if just “small” groups of local teens ride around on their bikes and ATVs, I disagree. It’s a difference of degree, not of kind. It may not cause pandemonium, but the smaller backs behave just as lawlessly, and some of the injuries to pedestrians have resulted from a single, reckless guy on a dirtbike. Also, how do you think this larger pack came into being? I’m sure New Haven has developed a reputation as the kind of place where you can do this kind of thing with zero consequences. That needs to stop.

posted by: NewHaven73 on September 10, 2019 12:59pm Thank you officers for cleaning up the streets. It is not my or any other citizens’ job to provide recreational outlets for bored or high testosterone teens. Or anybody else for that matter really. There’s already libraries that already exist for this purpose. And if you have money for a dirt bike or an ATV then surely you have money to get into other hobbies.

posted by: Perspective on September 10, 2019 1:05pm @ Patricia Kane

Why do we have to rely on technology instead of the expensively trained police we pay to do a job? Technology is not the problem but the controls (or lack thereof) put on its use. I’m sure folks felt the same when fingerprinting, DNA analysis was proposed to identify criminals

posted by: IloveMYcity203 on September 10, 2019 1:46pm @Ravenclaw You hit it spot on. I would like to add to also add to that and say, these are organized events. People are using social network (most likely Facebook) to create groups (which could be private) that are invite only, so a friend invites a friend who invites a friend, this way you keep any informants out of the loop.

The only thing that everyone seems to miss here is we are doing everything but the obvious to catch these criminals. I definitely am for Drones for a lot of reasons, but the most effective way in my opinion is to infiltrate the riders. If I were in charge, I’d put a tracker on my bike, with a camera and follow these riders all around. Learn the network, tools they use to communicate to evade the police, where the bikes go, the operations etc. It’s not a gang, so infiltration is easy. They’re just looking for riders. Have the undercovers wear a wire/ear piece to communicate with law enforcement to update locations in real time, and it’s super easy to conceal the identities because most people wear masks. It’s simple mathematics. If law enforcement wants to test out my awesome Mavic Pro, i’ll give a demonstration. @Patricia Kane, where are you from and who are you (Civilian, Politician, Alderwoman, Teacher etc.)? Paul/Dennis we need a in person monthly debate/meeting where everyone shares idea, discuss solutions and so on and so forth. Remember people, it’s not police against civilians. It’s Police and Civilians against criminals.

If you think differently, then you are on the wrong side of the law. [excuse any typos and/or grammatical errors; I did not proofread]

posted by: Christian Bruckhart on September 10, 2019 1:49pm Attorney Kane, we can agree that there are strong privacy concerns with any technology. Exchanging security for surveillance is a legitimate question and should be weighed carefully. However, the logical leap from police utilization of an off the shelf UAV to observe crimes in progress to robot cops patrolling city streets is a reductio ad absurdum at its finest. Aerial surveillance has been well adjudicated and the supreme court has ruled on it…several times (see Florida vs. Riley, California v. Ciraolo, and Dow Chemical Co. vs United States). You’re also right that technology is not a panacea. It’s a tool that can help make policing more effective, efficient and safe. You mention tasers, but you’ve never answered the question: if not a taser, than what? Batons and blackjacks? How do you “deescalate” a naked person high on PCP? What is the ratio of taser deployments to deaths that can be attributed solely to a taser? Don’t forget to include every person (police, corrections, judicial marshals, etc.) who have to be tasered before they can carry one. I doubt the percentage of deaths is remotely statistically significant. Also, what “military grade” technology does the NHPD possess? Our garage still rivets old license plates over holes in the cruiser floors. The idea that the police pepper sprayed protesters (who were blocking a highway) after they “became upset because a pinata of Trump was hit with a stick,” is, frankly, stupid. The rest of your statements are…confusing. Are the dirt bike riders banding together in some form of mass solidarity against…mega corporations? Income inequality? Step away from the socialists, they’re scrambling your brain!

posted by: DMH464 on September 10, 2019 2:04pm @W.Kurtz Yes you are connect, I also imagine it’s not worth it for the innocent bystander either. And no It’s not that interesting that their pension is a concern, why wouldn’t it be. I never said it was their primary concern although for some I’m sure it is, those are your words not mine. How you choose to interpret what I said or twist it is your issue, however I can guarantee you there is no officer in the department that is going to risk their livelihood to chase someone on a dirt bike.

posted by: mazbur on September 10, 2019 2:18pm I love my city but share the frustration so many have expressed at the lawlessness on our streets, the bike gangs especially.

However, life-threatening lawlessness in violating driving and traffic rules and regulation is ubiquitous - running red lights, speeding on city streets, etc.

Just this morning when I was stopped for a red light on Goffe St. a car passed on my left, the lane going the other way, and went right through the red light. He never even slowed down.

The disregard for law is demonstrated daily on our streets.

posted by: Dan Kops on September 10, 2019 2:52pm This was not normal. This was destructive toxic masculinity. The city has to efficiently use the resources currently available to combat this behavior. We already have traffic cameras recording across the city; let’s consider having police or civilian volunteers start reviewing that footage. These groups of riders are the literal definition of gang activity; Are there anti-gang resources from the state and federal level to investigate them? Are there anti-gang laws that could be used to prosecute them? Many of these riders are on street legal motorcycles; Can police track them down if plate numbers are collected? Can DMV records yield some investigative resources when plates aren’t on the bikes? Can arrestees be charged for operating a motorcycle without a proper endorsement? Driving without insurance? Since it’s so difficult (and therefore costly) to apprehend these people on these vehicles, it seems justifiable to impose the harshest consequences on the few that are caught. Be wary of tactics that incentivize bad enforcement practices. For example, asset forfeiture sounds great when the property in question is the property of a habitual bad actor. But because departments often draw funding from asset forfeiture programs, they have a perverse incentive to seize valuable property. Community oversight is essential with all solutions. On Saturday Mayor Harp toured Fair Haven in a fleet of inefficient vehicles which do not meet DOT standards. I’ve personally been confused and alarmed by the emergency sirens used by the jeep club as they left Criscuolo Park. To me, the Mayor’s behavior seems like an endorsement of vehicular confusion in a city with an intolerable casualty rate for cyclists and pedestrians. The police showed remarkable restraint on Sunday. Miraculously no one was seriously injured, but given time this behavior is certain to prove fatal to innocent bystanders.

posted by: Hill Resident on September 10, 2019 2:59pm Wow ... “When will the NHPD embrace the “sanctity of life” standard?”!!! Kinda like when a NHPD officer applied a tourniquet to save the life of a man who just shot a cop? Or an off-duty NHPD Captain intervened in the shooting of a citizen a d took several bullets himself? Or the NHPD who work with residents daily to rid their streets of the drug dealing gun shooting violent gang activity that results in the shooting deaths of 8 & 9 year old children? Is THAT the sanctity of life standard you speak of? Not everyone gets to look at the world thru the same colored glasses, some of us are just trying to get thru the day alive and appreciate the efforts of those who at least try ... outside of meetings and discussions and forums. DO something, and if it doesn’t work, you try something else. Really… taser deaths, pepper spray, use if facial recognition technology have nothing to do with finding a solution to the dirt-bike marauders. The last thing I want to hear when I call NHPD to report the 20-30 dirtbikes ripping up my neighborhood putting my children and neighbors at risk is ...’Press One for Dirt Bikes ... We’re sorry. But we are currently looking into new means of control. We will be addressing the escalating, gross income inequality where 5% of the people have as much wealth as the the other 95%. We will also be focusing on the lack of opportunity, the bigotry and the history of oppression of people of color, the Rust Belt workers tossed aside by mega corporations that pay NO taxes and send jobs out of the country where desperate people will work for so much less and there’s no need to worry about pollution laws. Thank you for calling. Have a nice day!’ Evil will prevail when good men (and women) do nothing. Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. No try ... just do! Confiscating 9 makes a difference. Just like the 6 that were removed in one sweep off Truman last year ... it sends a message. Thanks NHPD.

posted by: Patricia Kane on September 10, 2019 3:10pm @Christian Bruckhart:

“…the logical leap from police utilization of an off the shelf UAV to observe crimes in progress to robot cops patrolling city streets is a reductio ad absurdum at its finest.”

The technology to create warrior robots is the military’s dream. Police are next. Read McKibben and get back to me.

‘if not a taser, than what? Batons and blackjacks? How do you “deescalate” a naked person high on PCP? What is the ratio of taser deployments to deaths that can be attributed solely to a taser?

Statistics are all over the map on this one, largely because the manufacturer seems intent on keep real statistics from the public. And the mentally ill and autistic don’t seem to get gentle treatment if you read the reports.

https://electronicvillage.blogspot.com/2009/05/taser-related-deaths-in-united-states.html lists 634 as of 2001 in its October 2014 report.

https://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=dcdetail&iid=428 Discontinued arrest related deaths.

https://www.infowars.com/more-than-530-taser-related-deaths-in-u-s-since-2001/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taser_safety_issues

“Also, what “military grade” technology does the NHPD possess?”

Reports of the military donating weapons and equipment to local police have been public knowledge for years. Yale Police reportedly have a stash they refuse to show civilians.

“The idea that the police pepper sprayed protesters (who were blocking a highway) after they “became upset because a pinata of Trump was hit with a stick,” is, frankly, stupid.”

Read the police statements given as part of the Route 34 protests. There was an emotional response and 2 people were hurt.

As for positing issues of social control versus the need to address the social ills that generate crime (only a problem apparently among the less privileged classes w), it appears to have been too much for you to follow.

In the future, try to reply with facts befitting a dedicated Capitalist.

posted by: thecove on September 10, 2019 3:24pm Reading the comments…isn’t it funny that when a criminal issue arises that adversely affects everybody, everybody is pro-police all of a sudden? Positive comments from people who are traditionally cop-bashers calling these bikers “criminals” and “thugs.” But when someone pulls a gun on a cop and they are forced to shoot in self-defense, the cops are the “criminals” and “thugs.” I guess a dirt-biker is more dangerous to the community than an armed assailant in their eyes. Without calling you out by name I will say I’ve never seen such two-faced hypocrisy in my life. It rings of “We hate the police….until we need the police.” Gimme a break! Steam is coming out of my ears right now.

posted by: Patricia Kane on September 10, 2019 3:25pm @Hill Resident: The Sanctity of Life Standard emphasizes the preservation of life as the principle operating value for policing. Is that controversial? Is there a problem with training people to take all measures to avoid injury or death in responding to events?

Doctors and nurses save lives every day of the week. Why is it necessary to change the conversation from one dealing with technological threats to privacy - certainly worth a debate - or tools like tasers that kill - to remind us of the life-saving work done by the police in another context?

Civilians are supposed to have control of this para-military service. Are the police above criticism or discussion? Not yet.

I am already on record as supporting enforcement of the law against these illegal ATVs on public roads and support police action in protecting residents. I was at both community meetings to press the police on enforcement and heard all the arguments pro and con.

We can support both good policing and the preservation of life simultaneously.

Don’t set up false choices.

posted by: William Kurtz @thecove Can you please point me to the story where this happens? “But when someone pulls a gun on a cop and they are forced to shoot in self-defense, the cops are the “criminals” and “thugs.”” Thanks!

posted by: Ryn111 on September 10, 2019 4:04pm Its amazing how easy it is to just track this via social media. If anyone wanted to stop this infiltrate they could have.

posted by: Christian Bruckhart on September 10, 2019 4:05pm PK: “In the future, try to reply with facts…” I cited three US Supreme Court cases in support of my argument. Your citations included articles from infowars and wikipedia. CHECK PLEASE!

posted by: fastdriver on September 10, 2019 4:15pm Thank you NHPD for the fine job that you did rounding up these characters! DRONES are exactly what is needed to track them AND the drug dealers down! Keep up the good work!

posted by: Patricia Kane on September 10, 2019 6:02pm @Christian Bruckhart: You may think that court approval ends the discussion, but think of how many laws were legal, but not moral. Also think of how many laws change over time. The list is too long to print.

Too many people would gladly trade their privacy for their safety, but that is an illusion in the end. Nothing guarantees safety. Once privacy is lost, it’s hard to get it back.

Once the police have exhausted all the conventional tools in their tool box, then we can return to discuss drones.

By the way, remember when cameras were being offered free by the federal government to municipalities to use at intersections to catch people running red lights and/ or speeding? Too many cases of the cameras being used to look down women’s dresses or peeping into nearby windows came up.

Or maybe it never happened because municipalities didn’t have the funds to hire full time monitors or maintain the systems after they were installed.

And how about the reports of Alexa or Google listening in on people’s private moments?

Surely you saw the tape over the camera on Bill Gates’ computer when he was interviewed. Wasn’t that a message!

Big Brother remains a threat because not all technology is benign. There is something called the “Law of Unintended Consequences”. If we think ahead and thrash this out now, we may be able to avoid a few of them.

posted by: Patricia Kane on September 10, 2019 6:10pm @quinnipiacave: The Luddites were the first casualties of the industrial revolution. Their response might not have been effective, but that is not to say their opposition was wrong either.

Americans love to embrace the latest technology, but there are issues to be explored and debated if we want to make wise decisions, rather than ones that mindless seek a short term solution.

Privacy is not identified as a right in the Constitution, but without it, nothing much works.

Someone has to raise these issues and I appreciate all the thoughtful comments that people have shared.

posted by: thecove on September 10, 2019 6:34pm @William Kurtz It wasn’t. The point that I’m attempting to make is that when police are forced to

use force, some of the people commenting on this article paint the officers, not the “suspect”, as criminals and “thugs.” Their comments about police are much more favorable regarding this article because these bikers obviously annoy them also, hence, they now favor the police. I’m a true believer in the preservation of life in all circumstances, but I’m also a realist and if one of these bikers was hurt or worse as a result of Sunday’s enforcement, I’m sure they would be singing a much different tune about the police. I also think NHPD did a great job here.

posted by: NH4All on September 10, 2019 9:18pm I’ve had a dirt bike/ ATV issue near me for almost 20 years. I say use drones…carrier pigeons…. whatever it takes! This must end!

posted by: DMH464 on September 11, 2019 5:57am Well based on P.Kane’s comments perhaps we should use carrier pigeons, SMH. I know she is an advocate for mental health screenings for police officers beyond the initial for entering the academy but I would say we need them for lawyers as well.

posted by: William Kurtz @thecove: “The point that I’m attempting to make is that when . . ” you might as well stop right there because you are attempting to support this point with a hypothetical example of something that seems to have never happened—namely, a perfectly legitimate use of force by the police that’s met with widespread condemnation by the public. Again, where is this example of a person pulling a gun on a cop, getting shot, and then the cop being criticized by the public? There are legitimate conversations to be had and questions to be asked about the use of force by police—about the policies that govern it and about the procedures to investigate it after the fact. To paint these criticisms, conversations, and questions as “anti-cop” is ridiculous. Recently, in these pages, there has been a well-publicized and much-debated use of force against unarmed suspects by area police officers and another incident in which officers demonstrated a remarkable degree of restraint in not using deadly force when it would almost certainly have been justified.

posted by: Patricia Kane on September 11, 2019 10:05am @DMMH464: Considering the number of police officers and fire fighters in the headlines for domestic violence in the past few years, you should take seriously the need for periodic mental health evaluations of all uniformed staff. Some of them are still employed, but have they had sufficient counseling to deal with their issues of violence and control? If the answer is no, then expect further headlines.

Why wait for more casualties?

The Mayor has made the protection of women and children from Domestic Violence a priority. Has the NHPD?

You’ll be delighted to know that lawyers do have access to free counseling because we too deal with stressful situations and we too can succumb to issues of addiction, alcoholism or whatever.

It takes a confident, strong person to acknowledge the need for help.

A caring union would protect its members by making periodic mental health evaluations and/ or treatment programs part of the contract.

A person who is suffering from uncontrollable rage is a danger to himself and to others.

posted by: DML611 on September 11, 2019 10:21am First let me commend the NHPD officers for their skill and hard work. No one wants injury or death, but menacing, reckless groups of riders through New Haven streets is a danger to all. Now let me also comment that when I moved to New Haven from Southern California all my 6 boys rode dirt bikes. From Suzuki 50’s at 3 years old to quads on up. They were taught the proper way and where to ride. Why is it that we can’t find an area that can be developed for recreational use for the dirt bike users?? Why is it that we can have expansive golf courses for the well-off; but no useable, updated recreational areas for teenagers that ride. Rules can be developed for use, liability, training, sales and maintenance. this can be a teaching moment and New Haven can lead the charge! It’s absurd that we now make it so hard for young, particularly minorities to express themselves recreationally. Lets stop creating more criminals and teach and train these kids. Dirt bike riding is a multi million dollar industry. Maybe New Haven can be on the forefront and have the next James Stewart or Ricky Carmicheal in our midst!

posted by: KingoftheBoulevard on September 11, 2019 11:16am @DML611: creating a sanctioned track would not stop this problem. These riders aren’t doing this because they have no other place to go, they ride illegally on the streets because that IS THE WHOLE POINT. Even if there was a dirt track, the majority would still choose to ride on the streets because it’s part of the bike life culture - they aren’t trying to be the next motocross stars.