Illegal ATV, Dirt Bike Enforcement To Increase In Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — Police in Philadelphia are planning to bring the hammer down on illegal dirt bike and ATV drivers in the city.

During a news conference Wednesday, police said they have already begun cracking down on the nuisance vehicles.

Fifteen vehicles were seized during a special detail Tuesday. More vehicles would have been seized, police said, but rainy weather truncated the detail's time on the streets.

Police said of all illegal vehicles they confiscate, about 80 percent are destroyed.

The new initiative is part of Mayor Cherelle Parker's plan to address quality of life issues across the city.

Large groups of ATV and dirt bikes plague all areas of the city, police said.

Social media is a major motivating factor in these groups congregating then cruising around city streets, endangering drivers and pedestrians alike by shirking all traffic laws, police said.

Residents can expect to see more of these ATV and dirt bike details around the city in addition to the newly announced weekend surge teams that aim to respond to other large, disruptive gatherings.