Residents urge stronger enforcement on mini‑bikes and long‑running neighborhood blight during public comment
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Summary
Multiple residents used the council's public comment period to urge enforcement on mini‑bikes and motorcycles, and to call attention to a long‑running disorder and drug activity at properties in the south end and on Cambria Street; residents asked police and city staff for more visible action and clearer follow‑up.
Several residents spoke during public comment about ongoing public‑safety and nuisance concerns in Newark neighborhoods, focusing on mini‑bike/motorcycle riders and long‑running problems at specific addresses.
A man identifying his address as 419 South Cypress Street urged enforcement against mini‑bikes in the south end, saying he has made multiple calls and described near‑misses: “I got 12 calls on my phone in 2 weeks, and they're still running the streets down there. I almost hit 1 at National Drive and, Second Street coming here tonight.” He asked the city to take the problem seriously.
Jane Raul of 226 Cambria Street described persistent problems at 249 Cambria Street, including “broken laws, drug sales and use, thefts, ragging behavior all hours of night,” and said neighbors live in fear of retaliation if they attempt to remove vagrants. Raul said law enforcement is aware of the problem but that residents lack visible proof of enforcement and are frustrated.
Michelle Holland Smith of 237 Violet Court asked the city to refresh public information about the laws governing bicycles and motorcycles after observing unsafe riding during the Pelotonia event and on sidewalks. “It's a danger to the pedestrians as well as the bicyclists,” she said.
Nut graf: Speakers requested more enforcement and clearer communication from the city and police, and asked for help protecting neighborhoods. Councilmembers and staff in later remarks encouraged residents to continue reporting suspicious behavior and to provide photos and testimony to assist enforcement.
Council and staff responses at the meeting urged continued reporting and noted police efforts at recent large events; no specific new enforcement program or ordinance change was authorized during the meeting.