Residents urge city action on mini-bikes and neighborhood blight during public comments

Multiple residents raised safety and nuisance concerns during the council’s public-comment period, urging city action on illegal mini-bike activity and on long-running blight and suspected drug activity in parts of south Newark.

A resident who said they live on South Cypress Street reported frequent mini-bike use in the south end and said repeated calls to police had not stopped the problem. "I got 12 calls on my phone in 2 weeks, and they're still running the streets down there," the speaker said, adding that they nearly collided with a rider.

Jane Raul of 226 Cambria Street told the council her neighborhood has suffered more than five years of drug sales, thefts, vandalism and “vagrants” at 249 Cambria Street, and she said neighbors fear retaliation if they take action. "We now have 5 drug theft tunnels in a 3 block area," Raul said, and she urged the city to take stronger measures.

Michelle Holland Smith of 237 Violet Court said she saw unsafe bike and motorcycle behavior during the Pelotonia event and suggested the city refresh public information on laws governing bicycles and motorized bikes. "It's a danger to the pedestrians as well as the bicyclists," she said.

Mayor and council members responded by praising police work at recent large events and urging residents to report suspicious activity. The mayor thanked the police for managing Pelotonia and Summerfest and emphasized public safety. A council member asked residents to keep sending photos, videos and calls to help officers pursue enforcement and strategies. No immediate enforcement policy changes were announced at the meeting.