Springfield and our surrounding communities, including the State Police, will be working together to combat illegal OHV/Dirt Bike activity through various initiatives and efforts across all of Western Massachusetts.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno stated, “Our public streets are no place to ride these vehicles. It is illegal and you can get seriously injured or worse. We will continue enforcement in the name of public health, public safety, and for the quality of life for our residents and business community. We must continue to work together to combat this issue. I deeply appreciate the collaboration with our neighboring cities and towns. We have a shared mission that includes educating the public about the illegalities and dangers of riding OHV's on city streets and to let the public know that there is a regional effort to enforce the laws.”
“Our brave and dedicated men and women in Blue will continue to actively enforce this quality-of-life issue and cite, arrest, and confiscate these illegal vehicles. We will also continue working with the MA State Police and Sheriff Nick Cocchi and team for their anti-dirt bike details and tracking efforts to eradicate these illegal dirt bikes and ATV marauders on our city streets and neighborhoods. I again, ask parents of these young riders to intervene with their child, for their own health and safety, and help educate them on the appropriate places to ride and enjoy these vehicles.”
Mayor Sarno and City Councilor Lavar Click-Bruce also intend to file and sponsor home rule legislation to keep those illegal OHV off our public streets once seized by the Springfield Police Department. Legislation was previously filed in the State House but failed to pass.
Mayor Sarno emphasized, while wielding a sledgehammer, that the intent of the legislation is to remove as many illegal OHV's as possible from our public roads in the name of public safety and fast-track how quickly these bikes can be destroyed and disposed of. Any OHV found and recovered that is reported stolen would be returned to its rightful owner.
