Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Bridgeport police warn riders: electric scooters not lawful on roadways; department reports recent retail-theft arrests
Loading...
Summary
At the Sept. 9 meeting the police chief said electric scooters are subject to Pennsylvania Vehicle Code requirements and announced enforcement steps; the department also reported recent retail-theft arrests and other enforcement statistics.
Bridgeport’s police chief told the Borough Council Sept. 9 that electric scooters are not lawful to operate on roadways in Pennsylvania as motor vehicles must meet registration and equipment requirements, and the department will enforce existing rules through warnings and citations.
The chief cited the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code and said motorized scooters would be subject to vehicle requirements if treated as motor vehicles, noting that most commercially available scooters lack required equipment such as registration plates, turn signals and rearview mirrors. He said officers have issued warnings so far and will step up enforcement and training for officers on the applicable rules.
The chief also gave an update on recent department activity: the department reported 28 UCR Part I and Part II crimes over the prior reporting period, with 18 arrests (a 64% closure-by-arrest rate for those reported incidents). The chief cited multiple retail-theft arrests at the Wawa convenience store during the period, a bicycle-theft arrest on Grove Street and arrests for harassment and disorderly conduct following an on-line dispute.
Personnel notes: The chief thanked a long-serving part-time officer, John McKay, for 10 years of service and noted that a newer officer, Aidan Santos, is in the field-training program; the department expected to swear in an additional part-time officer the following month.
Enforcement and safety guidance: The chief warned that operators can be arrested for DUI while operating an electric bicycle or scooter and urged residents to call 911 for emergencies and to provide recorded evidence (such as Ring camera footage) to help investigations.
Ending: The chief closed by encouraging residents to contact police for urgent concerns and said training and enforcement related to scooters, parking and retail theft would continue.
