Committee refers ordinance to ban organized street takeovers, adds fines and forfeiture authority

A New Britain City committee voted to refer an amendment to the city code implementing Public Act 25-80 that targets organized street takeovers and related off-road vehicles, advancing the measure to the full council by a 6–1 vote.

Alderman Beloyne Saavedra moved to refer the ordinance back to the council with a favorable recommendation; the motion was seconded by Alderman Malinowski and carried after discussion. The committee had opened a public hearing on the measure but heard no public comments before moving to the regular meeting.

The ordinance would amend Article 7 of Chapter 15 to cover motor scooters, dirt bikes, mini bikes, pocket bikes, bicycles with helper motors and all-terrain vehicles in the context of organized street takeovers, the chair and clerk said during the meeting.

Police Chief said the state law behind the draft gives municipalities the authority to pursue not only vehicle operators but also individuals who coordinate or promote large, coordinated events. "With a little bit of intel and research and investigation," the chief said, "we could actually target people that are responsible for creating massive get togethers or create the problems that we see when there's groups of them traveling on city streets."

Alderman Beloyne Saavedra highlighted the ordinance's penalties, noting the draft adds "the penalty teeth" to the old language. "Whether you're in a vehicle, you're part of organizing the event, or you're participating by watching it, you are in violation and can be fined between $1,000 and $2,000," she said, and she pointed to new authority to impound or forfeit vehicles.

Several members asked how officers would distinguish innocent bystanders or people recording events from those "observing with intent" to promote or participate in a takeover. Alderman Barbosa said concerns were that residents could be wrongly targeted; the chief responded enforcement typically focuses on organizers and promoters who send invitations or use social media to coordinate events, and investigators aim to differentiate bystanders from active participants.

One alderman raised First Amendment concerns; a member of the committee and the chief said the department's standard practice is to approach a large crowd, ask people to leave and then proceed with enforcement if people remain and continue to promote or participate in illegal activity.

Counsel clarified that the $1,000–$2,000 fines reflect the maximums authorized by the enabling state legislation. Alderman Scott expressed support for the change, saying the law gives the city another tool to address a rising safety problem and recounting recent local incidents where illegal riders endangered pedestrians.

After debate about enforcement and public education, the committee voted to refer the ordinance to the full council with a favorable recommendation by a vote of 6 in favor and 1 opposed. The committee then adjourned at 6:56 p.m.

What happens next: the ordinance will go to the full New Britain City Council for further consideration and final action.