Description
I live on the corner of Norton and Elm, and I think Elm Street needs some speed bumps or the traffic light needs to be changed so that it blinks red on both sides in order to prevent people from blasting through. Not only do cars speed down Elm entirely too fast for a residential neighborhood that is full of children, but guys on dirtbikes are also a huge nuisance. The dirtbike problem mystifies me, as there is a police substation one block away. Why should we be subjected to this danger and noise every day? If there were a few speedbumps on Elm these problems would be solved instantly.
17 Comments
Piz22 (Guest)
AEY (Guest)
Department of Public Works (Verified Official)
Department of Public Works (Verified Official)
Department of Transportation, Traffic and Parking (Registered User)
AEY (Guest)
S.I.T. New Haven (Registered User)
Hey ClickFixers, time to start writing and e mailing the mayor’s office. Read below for details on the coalition to Stop Illegal Traffic (SIT)
New Haven Coalition to Stop Illegal Traffic
The New Haven Coalition to STOP ILLEGAL TRAFFIC (SIT) on our streets had its second meeting on Sept. 18. Alderman Justin Elicker reported that since our meeting last month, the city has started a concerted effort to address the issue of dangerous and illegal use of dirt bikes, all terrain vehicles, and other illegal motorized vehicles on our streets. Currently, police do not have the authority to seize and hold illegally operated motorized bikes and ATVs. Therefore, violators can reclaim impounded vehicles shortly after being caught by paying a small fine to the towing company.
On September 18, 2012, SIT members decided that the quickest way to make our streets safer is to rally the community in support empowering the city to take more aggressive actions against illegally operated dirt bikes and ATVs.
What the city is doing:
1. The Corporation Counsel (the lawyer for the city) has been directed to explore the legality of the city taking possession of non-registered dirt bikes, atvs, etc. that have been operated illegally and destroying them. Other enforcement ordinances are also being explored.
2. The City is in conversation with state legislators about state-level action.
What Coalition members and supporters are being asked to do:
a. Call the Office of the Mayor (203)946-8200 and tell the Mayor that you are concerned about this issue and that you want results by next summer 2013.
or
b. Write to the Mayor at MayorDestefano@newhavenct.net. You may want to include the following points:
“I am a concerned citizen who is frustrated by the increase in use of illegally operated dirt bikes and ATVs on New Haven streets, inside New Haven Parks, and near playgrounds and other recreation areas. It is my understanding that the NHPD has a long standing no-chase policy, which I agree with given the chances that a chase could result in injury of an innocent bystander. However, more needs to be done. I support the city’s effort to create policies that will eliminate the reckless behavior before someone else is killed. We’ve had many close calls already in 2012; a little girl was hit by a dirt biker while waiting at a bus stop with her dad, and a dirt biker himself suffered life-threatening injuries after losing control of an unregistered illegally operated dirt bike. Please, do what is necessary. You have my support!"
Christopher Schaefer 4 Congress.Com (Registered User)
S.I.T. New Haven (Registered User)
@Chris: we are starting a Facebook page soon. We are not part of Safe Streets though one of their member has been involved and attended our meetings (we've only had two so far). We are nothing more than a group of about 10 New Haven residents from as many neighborhoods with no political ties that decided that we'd like to find sustainable solutions (e.g. through local ordinances and such) to this rampant and reckless use of uninsured and unregistered dirt bikes and off-road vehicles across our City.
Currently, police do not have the authority to seize and hold illegally operated motorized bikes and ATVs. Therefore, violators can reclaim impounded vehicles shortly after being caught by paying a small fine to the towing company. This coupled with a no-chase policy (which we agree with--we don't want high speed chases of our youth in urban areas) makes for a problem that is seriously difficult to contain.
Christopher Schaefer 4 Congress.Com (Registered User)
S.I.T. New Haven (Registered User)
Jane (Guest)
The New Haven Coalition to STOP ILLEGAL TRAFFIC (SIT) on our streets had its second meeting on Sept. 18. Alderman Justin Elicker reported that since our meeting last month, the city has started a concerted effort to address the issue of dangerous and illegal use of dirt bikes, all terrain vehicles, and other illegal motorized vehicles on our streets. Currently, police do not have the authority to seize and hold illegally operated motorized bikes and ATVs. Therefore, violators can reclaim impounded vehicles shortly after being caught by paying a small fine to the towing company.
On September 18, 2012, SIT members decided that the quickest way to make our streets safer is to rally the community in support empowering the city to take more aggressive actions against illegally operated dirt bikes and ATVs.
What the city is doing:
1. The Corporation Counsel (the lawyer for the city) has been directed to explore the legality of the city taking possession of non-registered dirt bikes, atvs, etc. that have been operated illegally and destroying them. Other enforcement ordinances are also being explored.
2. The City is in conversation with state legislators about state-level action.
What Coalition members and supporters are being asked to do:
a. Call the Office of the Mayor (203)946-8200 and tell the Mayor that you are concerned about this issue and that you want results by next summer 2013.
or
b. Write to the Mayor at MayorDestefano@newhavenct.net. You may want to include the following points:
“I am a concerned citizen who is frustrated by the increase in use of illegally operated dirt bikes and ATVs on New Haven streets, inside New Haven Parks, and near playgrounds and other recreation areas. It is my understanding that the NHPD has a long standing no-chase policy, which I agree with given the chances that a chase could result in injury of an innocent bystander. However, more needs to be done. I support the city’s effort to create policies that will eliminate the reckless behavior before someone else is killed. We’ve had many close calls already in 2012; a little girl was hit by a dirt biker while waiting at a bus stop with her dad, and a dirt biker himself suffered life-threatening injuries after losing control of an unregistered illegally operated dirt bike. Please, do what is necessary. You have my support!"
S.I.T. New Haven (Registered User)
Tired of this issue? Then show your support this Tuesday 11/13 @ 6 p.m., all should attend, no excuses! If not you, and us, then who? Tell everyone you know and bring them along if needed--lets pack the room, this may be our only chance for this type of City-wide meeting. Please distribute widely.
via Alderman Justin Elicker:
"There will be a public hearing on the dirt bike ATV issue Tuesday, 11/13 at 6pm in Board of Aldermen Chambers at City Hall. It's an opportunity for people to express their concerns about the dirt bike issue and for the City to talk about what we plan on doing. Could you all help get the word out?"
S.I.T. New Haven (Registered User)
S.I.T. New Haven (Registered User)
Department of Transportation, Traffic and Parking (Registered User)
クローズド City of New Haven (Verified Official)
Due to the age of this post, it will be closed. NHPD is now monitoring these posts, but they need to be able to distinguish information that is current. If this issue is a continuing problem, please report as a new post in this category to clearly identify it as a current problem. You can reference this post, which will stay archived on the website accessible to NHPD District Managers. Any immediate public safety issue should be called into 9-1-1, however.
You can also contact the NHPD District Manager directly. To determine who to contact, follow this link: http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/Police/index.asp and click on the Patrol Bureau - Community Policing tab. Thank you.