NEW HAVEN, CT — On myriad social media platforms, the event was dubbed as an 'End of Summer Ride-Out' planned for last weekend in New Haven.
The so-called ride-out, also known as street takeover, would end up having hundreds of ATV and dirt bike-riding participants taking over streets in downtown New Haven, the Long Wharf area, and pockets in a number of area communities.
To "more effectively combat the issue of these street takeovers," area municipal leaders, police, and the Connecticut State Police established a joint regional task force in September 2023 to share information and intelligence, coordinate joint operations to enforce related local and state laws, seize illegally used motorized recreational vehicles, and identify and apprehend individuals engaging in these illegal activities.
Wednesday, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, New Haven Chief of Police David Zanelli, North Haven First Selectman Michael Freda, and representatives from the Connecticut State Police, North Haven, West Haven, and Yale University police departments gave an update on the street takeover event.
Over the course of two days, officers from New Haven, North Haven, and West Haven and state troopers combined made several arrests related to this event, including for firearm possession, stolen vehicles, and reckless driving, and seized several ATVs and dirtbikes.
The "united front" of towns and police departments made a total of 11 arrests and 18 vehicle seizures, some stolen, and also included a truck and a trailer.
New Haven police Assistant Chief Manmeet Bhagtana broke down those arrests in a news briefing at the NHPD training facility on Sherman Parkway.
It was noted that in pre-dawn hours on Sunday at East Shore Park, a pedestrian was struck and suffered serious injuries by a vehicle doing stunts. The pedestrian was "part of the group" and was filming the event. The vehicle operator fled, police said.
Chief Zanelli called the so-called 'End of Summer Ride-Out' an "unsanctioned event" with between 200 and 300 participants.
Riders were seen primarily in the area of Long Wharf and downtown New Haven but also included areas in North Haven, West Haven, Orange, and Woodbridge.
Zanelli said that knowing the dangers and difficulty managing takeovers, New Haven police sat with nearby law enforcement partners and coordinated a joint plan that included uniformed and plainclothes officers.
Zanelli said the effort was successful but noted that "we're not celebrating ...there is a lot of work to be done."
"This behavior will not be tolerated."
Task Force effort by the numbers
New Haven police seized four ATVs and a stolen truck and made three arrests.
North Haven police seized two vehicles and made one arrest.
West Haven police seized 12 vehicles and made one arrest.
State Police, who patrolled the interstate and highways in an effort to intercept large groups of riders, seized a trailer and made six arrests.
So far this year, the NHPD and Joint Regional Task Force on Dirt Bikes and ATVs have seized and impounded 22 MRVs, officials said.
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