May 18, 2020
Thom Carroll/for PhillyVoice
Philadelphia police seized illegal ATVs and dirt bikes across the city after receiving complaints from residents, officials said.
Philadelphia police over the weekend seized more than 60 illegally operated ATVs and dirt bikes across the city after receiving complaints from residents.
Inspector Joseph Bologna, the operations commander of the department's Patrol Bureau, shared a photo Sunday of police hauling away several vehicles on a trailer.
Excellent job this weekend by all @PhillyPolice Supervisors & Officers who coordinated efforts to address a number of community complaints which resulted in the seizure of over 60 illegally operated ATV's & Dirt bikes from our streets. #QualityofLife+ #WeRespond @PPDJoelDales pic.twitter.com/K18adlK3aI
— Joseph Bologna (@PPDJoeBologna) May 17, 2020
Authorities said a total of 63 ATVs and dirt bikes were confiscated. Three arrests were made for theft, unauthorized use and fleeing police. Another 60 citations were issued for traffic code violations.
"We will be conducting these operations throughout the summer, and potentially beyond," a police spokesperson said Monday.
Police did not elaborate about the complaints they had received from community members or say which neighborhoods were targeted.
“The operation of ATVs and Dirt Bikes on our streets is illegal, and poses a great danger to motorists, pedestrians, and even the riders. It also creates a nuisance for our communities,” police commissioner Danielle Outlaw said in a statement. “As this initiative evidences, we are committed to proactively disrupting this activity on an ongoing basis.”
Philadelphia police have conducted similar operations to seize these vehicles in the past, like in the spring of 2016 when the department confiscated more than 100 ATVs and dirtbikes.
