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The city has introduced legislation that would increase fines on people who illegally ride ATVs and dirt bikes in the city and strengthen the ability of police to impound the vehicles, which usually are uninsured and unregistered.
“It’s a public safety issue. It’s a quality of life issue. It’s a nuisance issue. Most of these vehicles are unregistered and uninsured,” said Assistant Police Chief James Nardozzi. “They create noise pollution and are a danger to both the public and the people riding them. This isn’t a Bridgeport problem. This is a national problem. And we’re going to put a stop to it in Bridgeport The ordinance is a tool to help us do that.”
The proposed ordinance would carry a fine of up to $1,000 for the first offense, up to $1,500 for the second offense and up to $2,000 for the third offense.
ATVs are illegal to operate on any public land in Bridgeport. The ordinance would also apply to passengers and owners of the vehicles if they knowingly allow the vehicle to be driven illegally.
The ordinance also would allow police to impound the vehicle and require anyone seeking to retrieve the vehicle to show proof of ownership, such as a bill of sale.
Currently, impounded vehicles are towed by private companies. When ATVs are impounded, individuals at times will pay the tow fee, retrieve the vehicle and be riding on city streets hours later.
“I’m tired of seeing the same dirt bikes racing through our neighborhood over and over. I know our officers are tired of seeing that. And I am certain that our residents are,” said Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr. “This ordinance will help us keep the community safer and I believe will send a strong message to the community and to the groups that travel from city to city breaking the law. Bridgeport won’t tolerate it.”
The police department is asking for the community’s cooperation in reporting where the reckless drivers live and store the vehicles.
Groups of ATV and dirt bike riders gather through word of mouth and social media and ride illegally through city streets across the country, endangering the community.
“We’re making a concerted effort to stop it,” said Gaudett.
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