Suffolk Police To Conduct Education Campaign Aimed At Illegal ATV Use

YAPHANK, NY — Suffolk police plan to conduct an education campaign, notifying the riders of illegal all-terrain vehicles of safety risks and civil liabilities, as well as enhanced surveillance of hot spots, and a new internal tracking system will be used to identify repeat offenders.

Police will first notify the riders of illegal ATVs and/or their guardians in an "effort to gain compliance" but if that does not work there will still be surveillance of hot spots throughout the county where the riders are known to congregate and the department will gather information, Commissioner Rodney Harrison announced at a news conference on Friday.

There will also be increased usage of the department's tow trucks to impound the vehicles, and that will carry additional fines and fees for riders. The county will also be offering a fast cash reward of $100 for information leading to the seizure of one of the vehicles.

Harrison said that one of the major concerns he has heard "too often from the stakeholders out here" is "the reckless driving" of ATVs vehicles and dirt bikes that have "caused havoc in the streets of Suffolk County."

"These individuals ride these unauthorized vehicles have no regard for the vehicle or traffic laws, as well as public safety," Harrison added.

Chief of Patrol Gerard Hardy said the department wants to highlight the issue as a "public education piece."

"We want to get voluntary compliance," he said. "If that fails, we're going to go into surveillance and enforcement in the efforts of engaging the community.:"

Anyone who volunteers information about one of the illegal ATVs and it results in a seizure will be given $100 within 72 hours.

"You'll probably end up saving one of these kids' lives because they just don't realize that they're just reckless," said Crime Stoppers' vice president Pat Fazio. “Please, if you see something, and you have formation, give us a call, help the police out.“

Harrison said illegal ATV use has to stop.

"We're going to make sure we put our best foot forward to engage in going into the warmer months," he added.

Last year, police logged in 3,300 911 calls about the use of illegal ATVs.

Three people were charged with illegally operating ATVs back in November after a mob of 50 to 100 bikers and ATV riders crowded Sound Avenue in Wading River and two crashes followed in Ridge and Rocky Point, police said.

In February, the passenger of a car was punched in a fight with an ATV rider who was part of a pack blocking traffic in Medford, according to police.

The pack of riders blocked traffic at Woodside Avenue, near Route 112, just before 4 p.m. on Feb. 12, said police, adding that a male passenger in a 2020 Jeep left the vehicle and got into a fight with one of the riders and the rider punched him.

"The passenger, who refused medical attention, got back in the vehicle and the vehicle continued eastbound and the riders then damaged the Jeep, " a police spokeswoman said, adding that it was dented on a door and a side-view mirror was damaged.

No one has been arrested in the incident.

Crime Section officers and detectives from the 5th Precinct are continuing to investigate.

Tips can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS, or by using a mobile app that can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips. Tips can also be submitted online at www.P3Tips.com.