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West Haven council sets public hearing on ordinance to ban illegal ATVs and street takeovers
Summary
Councilmembers gave first reading to a new city ordinance that would ban ungated operation of ATVs, dirt bikes and similar off-road vehicles on streets and public property, authorize fines and impoundment, and include retailer posting requirements; a public hearing was set for Sept. 8.
The West Haven City Council held a first reading and set a public hearing for Sept. 8 on a proposed ordinance that would make operation of motorized recreational vehicles on city streets, sidewalks and other public property illegal and would criminalize participation in street takeovers.
Mayor Dorinda Borer and police officials described the proposal as a response to a rise in dangerous street takeovers and illegal ATV use. “We see incidents of reckless driving, throughout our streets that just creates chaos and, is a significant safety risk,” Mayor Borer said, describing fatalities and property damage from illegal vehicle operation. The mayor said the city paused drafting until recent state legislation on ATVs and takeovers became law and that the city ordinance was intended to mirror the new state authority.
City Attorney Paul Acello summarized the ordinance during the council-as-a-whole committee meeting. “What this ordinance accomplishes is it kind of gets everybody from, someone who is there with the intent to observe or actually observing the street takeover, someone who is that it gets that group,” Acello said, describing a range of covered actors including operators, passengers and spectators. The draft sets graduated fines of $1,000 for a first offense, $1,500 for a second and $2,000 for third and subsequent violations for organizers and operators; passengers could face a $250 fine. It would also permit impoundment and, in some cases, forfeiture, and require dealers who sell the covered vehicles to post the ordinance at point-of-sale.
Police Chief Purnell told the council the ordinance would help investigators pursue organizers after the fact; the department is increasingly able to use social media and video to identify participants. “It allows us through investigation to go after the organizer, which is, a big, big thing for us to be able to do,” the chief said, and noted that many of the vehicles are unregistered and lack documentation.
Council members asked about enforcement nuances in the draft, including how fines would apply to unwilling or unwitting passengers and how juvenile operators would be handled; responses clarified that juveniles would be handled through juvenile court and that an appeal process is provided in the draft ordinance. Councilmembers also requested clarity that the ordinance targets vehicles not intended for road use, and city officials said the draft carves out e-bikes, motorized scooters and wheelchairs for separate consideration. “We—re not targeting the use of e-bikes,” said a city attorney, and officials said regulation of e-bikes and scooters will be considered separately.
The council conducted a first reading and set a public hearing for the ordinance on Sept. 8 at 06:55 p.m. No final vote was taken; council members said they expect additional drafting edits ahead of the public hearing.
