Stamford Police To Ramp Up Enforcement On Reckless Scooter, Motorcycle Drivers

STAMFORD, CT — As the weather begins to warm up and more motorists are out and about, the Stamford Police Department plans to ramp up enforcement on those who are operating motorized/electric scooters, motorcycles and dirt bikes in a dangerous and reckless manner.

Stamford Assistant Police Chief Richard Conklin told Patch that these types of vehicles have been seen throughout the city, oftentimes in the downtown area, on sidewalks, going the wrong way down one-way streets, popping "wheelies," and even refusing to stop when officers try to conduct motor vehicle stops. The department has received numerous complaints about the vehicles.

Just this week, officers arrested two people, including a minor, and issued citations to another juvenile involved in the dangerous operation of motorized vehicles, according to Conklin. A stolen scooter and motorcycle were recovered.

On April 13, patrol officers noticed a person on a scooter driving at a high rate of speed on sidewalks and going the wrong way on certain streets in the downtown area at approximately 6:20 p.m., Conklin said.

A scooter was stolen on Washington Boulevard the day before, and the operator matched the description of the person seen in security footage from the theft, Conklin said.

Working in conjunction, a number of officers tried several times to stop the scooter, which eventually got caught up in traffic on Clark Street, Conklin said.

Officers in an unmarked car were able to get close enough to the scooter, and the operator, later identified as a 16-year-old Stamford resident, was taken into custody.

The teen admitted to stealing the scooter and hiding it at his house without his parents' knowledge, Conklin said, noting the parents cooperated with the investigation.

The teen was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, failure to obey the signal of an officer, reckless driving, interfering with an officer, and operating without a license, Conklin said. The scooter was later returned to its owner.

On April 14, another minor was seen operating a scooter in an unsafe manner on the East Side around 4:30 p.m., Conklin said.

The operator, a 17-year-old, was stopped and issued an infraction for multiple motor vehicle violations, Conklin said. The scooter was towed and impounded.

On April 15, an officer in the traffic enforcement unit spotted a motorcycle going through a red light at Atlantic Street and Tresser Boulevard at approximately 5:30 p.m., Conklin said.

During a traffic stop, it was discovered that the operator, Sam Jusset, 18, of Stamford, did not have a valid license, registration and insurance, Conklin said.

"Further investigation revealed that this motorcycle was stolen from Lockwood Avenue in September of 2024," Conklin said. In addition to various motor vehicle charges, Jusset was charged with theft of a motor vehicle and issued a $1,000 bond, Conklin noted.

Scooters, which are also known as motor driven cycles, are defined as having a seat height of not less than 26 inches and a motor with a displacement of less than 50 cubic centimeters, according to police.

State law prohibits the operation of motor driven cycles, and mopeds, unless the operator has a valid CT license. The vehicles are prohibited from the sidewalk, and on streets where the posted speed limit is greater than the top speed of the vehicle.

A motor driven cycle must be driven either in the far right lane available to traffic, unless making a U-turn, or on a "usable shoulder," and they must follow all traffic laws. Bicycle lanes are not considered usable shoulders.

Registration and insurance are not required for motor driven cycles.

Additionally, state law requires operators of motor driven cycles to wear eye protection.

Vehicles with an engine displacement of 50ccs or greater are classified as motorcycles, which must be registered and insured. The operator must also have a valid license with a motorcycle endorsement.

Dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATV) are illegal to operate on any street in Stamford.

Conklin said scooters, motorcycles and other similar vehicles pose several challenges for police. They can go down alleyways and "piece their way through traffic" where patrol cars are often hampered.

"It's very dangerous, not only for these operators, but for pedestrians and other motor vehicle operators," Conklin said. "Oftentimes these vehicles have no plates, no means to track them down, and they're running without lights at night time."

Conklin said officers anticipate seeing more of these vehicles out in Stamford as spring turns into summer.

"We're asking people to be more compliant with the law," he said.