Revere council directs police and schools to enforce state scooter law and launch student education campaign

The Revere City Council voted Aug. 25 to ask the mayor to request the police chief enforce Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 1E governing motorized scooters and to have the police, in conjunction with the superintendent of public schools, develop an educational campaign for students.

Councilor McKenna, who presented a substitute motion after learning the state already has a statute regulating scooters, said the goal is to combine enforcement and education. “My substitute motion is that, by myself, Genzio, and Cogliandro, that the mayor request the chief of police to enforce the provisions of MGL chapter 90 section 1 e, further that the chief of police, in conjunction with the superintendent of public schools, develop an educational campaign for students relative to the laws in proper usage of the motorized, scooters,” McKenna said.

Why it matters: Councilors described repeated dangerous behavior — riders on sidewalks, two riders on one scooter, riders without helmets and young children riding near schools — and framed the motion as both a public-safety and youth-education measure. The council approved the substitute motion and ordered it implemented.

Council debate focused on enforcement mechanisms. Chief LaVetta told the council that the police department was already preparing school outreach and said enforcement options include using the existing state motor-vehicle statute or a city ordinance. “We are already working with the school department on an educational form to be provided, as school starts tomorrow,” Chief LaVetta said.

Several councilors suggested a two-step enforcement approach: issue a city ordinance ticket for first offenses to give immediate local consequences, and for repeat offenders pursue Registry of Motor Vehicles penalties that can carry insurance surcharges. Councilor Carino Suaya recommended, “if it's a first offense, maybe do it a city ticket. And then if they continue their offenses, then send it to the registry motor vehicle.” Other councilors noted practical questions about citing minors and collecting municipal fines.

The council also debated fines. Councilor McKenna noted current fines are $30 and said she favored raising the municipal first-offense penalty; she proposed increasing the first fine to $50.

What the council ordered: the mayor is to request that the chief of police enforce MGL Chapter 90, Section 1E; the chief is to work with the school superintendent on an education campaign for students; the council expressed support for reviewing municipal fine amounts and for a locally phased enforcement approach (first municipal citation, escalating to RMV enforcement for repeated violations). The motion passed on the amended substitute.

Next steps: The council expects the police to coordinate with the schools on the campaign immediately as the school year begins and to return with details on enforcement strategy and any recommended ordinance or fee changes.