Why Police Are Having A Hard Time Cracking Down On ATVs
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – ATV's are illegal on the streets of Philadelphia. But police are saying it's so difficult to prevent.
We see it every year on Broad Street. It seems like just as soon as it warms up the ATV's come out. In fact, our cameras caught one out on the road last night causing havoc and endangering lives.
It's a sight many Philadelphians are all to familiar with.
"They weave in and out of traffic, are doing wheelies on the road, going up on sidewalks," said Seth Kaplan of the Somerdale Civic Association.
Philadelphia Police Say it's a city wide issue. On Monday Chopper 3 followed two people through the city starting first in Somerdale.
"It's a danger that's not supposed to be permitted on the street. Whipping in and out of traffic is something that can only cause one thing, either an accident or somebody to become severely injured," said Lt. John Stanford of the Philadelphia Police.
Riding ATV's on Philadelphia streets is illegal, but police say catching these riders is difficult because officers are prohibited from chasing after them.
"If we chase them, people say, 'hey you chased them and create an accident and you could kill someone. Some innocent person that's just out there traveling, then you're wrong. If you don't chase them, and they continue to whip in and out of traffic bring havoc across the city, then you are considered not doing your job," Stanford said.
A popular Philadelphia dirt biker, who goes by the Instagram name Dirtbikemike, told me they just need legal places to ride in the city and aren't looking to hurt anyone.
While Monday's incident did not result in any apparent injuries, there were several close calls. One in which the ATV appears to narrowly miss the driver's side of a car, or another one where the same ATV cuts in front of a driver to make a left turn.
"There's courses designed just for them and that's where they should be riding, not on a city street," Kaplan said.
Philadelphia police say last year they did confiscate about 160 ATV's. They encourage frustrated drivers, who see these ATV's on the street, to give them a call. They insist it helps.
