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Council adopts ordinance allowing seizure and impoundment of unlawfully operated ATVs
Summary
Citing a sharp increase in calls about reckless ATV and dirt bike use, the council adopted Ordinance 524-0449 to authorize the lawful seizure, impounding and disposition of unlawfully operated all‑terrain vehicles and off‑road motorcycles within city limits.
The council unanimously adopted Ordinance 524‑0449, which amends the city code (chapter 21) to create an article allowing the seizure, impoundment, and disposition of unlawfully operated all‑terrain vehicles (ATVs) and off‑road motorcycles.
A staff presenter told the council the Hampton Police Division saw a "140% increase" in cost for service relating to ATVs between 2022 and 2023 and that, as of the previous month, there had been more than 60 calls for speeding or reckless operation by such vehicles in 2024. Staff said traffic tickets alone have not been an effective deterrent and that the General Assembly in 2024 authorized governing bodies to enact seizure and impound authority; the ordinance implements that authority locally.
The motion to adopt the ordinance passed unanimously. Staff and police indicated the new authority is intended to improve public safety and reduce reckless riding; implementation details and procedures were not discussed in depth at the meeting.
