Milford Mayor, Police Propose Ban Of ATVs, Dirt Bikes, More

MILFORD, CT — Mayor Anthony Giannattasio and Police Chief Keith Mello are proposing an ordinance to ban all motorized recreational vehicles in the city.

The ban will be considered at the next Board of Aldermen meeting and is intended to curb street takeovers. Under the proposal, ATVs, dirt bikes, mini bikes, and more would be prohibited from operating on any city street or sidewalk as well as on public property.

Anyone operating or riding as a passenger on these vehicles would be subject to a $2,000 fine. Police would also have the authority to seize and destroy the vehicles.

The proposal comes after Milford dealt with a street takeover in December that resulted in a police officer's being assaulted and injured. Since then, police have made several arrests. More than 100 people were involved in the street takeover at the Stop & Shop parking lot.

The problem has spread across the state, with communities such as Tolland and Southington affected.

See related: Arrest Made In May Violent Street Takeover In Tolland

'Street Takeover' In Southington Planned: PD

Third Person Arrested In Milford Street Takeover: Police

Street takeovers are pre-organized gatherings of large numbers of vehicles that can include cars, trucks, motorcycles, and off-road vehicles. Trumbull police have advised anyone who encounters a street takeover not to approach the people involved or try to intervene.

Below is the statement from Giannattasio on the proposed Milford ordinance:

In partnership with the Chief Keith L. Mello and the Milford Police Department, Mayor Anthony Giannattasio announced that he has prepared and will be proposing the adoption of an ordinance prohibiting the operation of all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s) on City streets at the next Board of Aldermen meeting in response to concerns caused by the proliferation of “street takeovers” in Milford, surrounding communities and the State scheduled for July 1st. In addition to ATV’s, the proposed ordinance would prohibit the operation of dirt bikes, mini bikes, mini cycles, motor-driven cycles, pocket bikes, and the like (collectively referred to as Motorized Recreational Vehicles), on any street, sidewalk or public property within the City of Milford. Any person operating or riding as a passenger on any such Motorized Recreation Vehicle would be subject to a fine of up to $2,000. Any owner of such a vehicle who knowingly permits such use would also be subject to a fine. In addition to monetary penalties, the Police Department would have the authority to seize any vehicle operating in violation of the ordinance, which may ultimately be forfeited and destroyed. The ordinance also prohibits the sale of any fuel for use in any Motorized Recreational Vehicle, except where such vehicle is transported by a registered motor vehicle as defined in CGS Sec. 14-1. All fuel dispensing stations must post a sign informing customers that, "FUELING OF ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES, MINI-CYCLES, DIRT BIKES, OR OTHER UNAUTHORIZED VEHICLES PROHIBITED." Retailers found to be in violation of the ordinance may be subject to a fine of $100 for each occurrence.

Mayor Giannattasio stated, “we have seen a rise in street takeovers over the past couple of years. These “street takeovers” are a matter of public safety that creates a danger on our roadways and for other motorists,” he added. “We still have a lot of work to do as this is a challenging problem. Police are often outnumbered and it becomes a challenge to apprehend these violators. The proposed ordinance is intended to provide our officers with an enforcement mechanism to hold those involved in street takeovers accountable,” Giannattasio said.

Mayor Giannattasio urged anyone wishing to provide public comment to attend the Ordinance Committee’s public hearing and regular Board of Aldermen meeting, both to be held on Monday, July 1st at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively, in City Hall, 110 River Street.