Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown introduced a resolution authorizing Council to hold public hearings to review and examine the regulations surrounding All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). The resolution was co-sponsored by Councilmembers Curtis Jones, Jr., Maria Quinones Sanchez and Kenyatta Johnson.
The issue has reached a tipping point in many Philadelphia neighborhoods where riders run recklessly throughout streets and sidewalks, often ignoring stop signs and traffic lights. In addition to the public safety threat, complaints about the extreme level of noise skyrocket over the summer months.
“Neighbors and community leaders have quite frankly had enough. This is one of those quality of life issues that touch a nerve with people in the heart of their community,” said Councilwoman Reynolds Brown. “Factor in that young people are losing their lives and we have a real public safety crisis on our hands. Communities and families need to know that we hear them and are looking for solutions.”
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 521 deaths have been recorded in Philadelphia from 1982-2010 as a result of ATVs; from 1982-2006, 105 deaths were of children under the age of 16.
Regulation of ATVs has presented a problem for police in Philadelphia due to the “no-chase” policy restricting police from apprehending offenders in motion. The police have begun a campaign requesting citizens to notify the police of storage areas for illegal ATVs and of illegal riding seen in the city.
Other large cities have implemented solutions to crack down on the problem. Sting operations are conducted in New York City and in Baltimore, gas stations are banned from providing fuel to ATVs and parents could be jailed for allowing a minor to ride. The Councilwoman intends to work in concert with police, concerned citizens and community leaders to ensure a collaborative effort resulting in a series of recommendations and best practices that make sense for Philadelphia.
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