Police on Thursday morning seized 16 illegal off-road vehicles that were allegedly being stored improperly at Boston housing developments.

Investigators said the operation was intended to cut down on the number of dirtbikes, four-wheelers, and other vehicles that they say cause havoc on city streets.

“These vehicles have come to represent a constant annoyance in the city’s neighborhoods because individuals operate them dangerously throughout public ways and parks,” Boston Police said in a statement.