4 SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
NYPD confi scates ATV in Maspeth as lawmakers
call on the authorities to keep local streets safe
BY JULIA MORO
EDITORIAL@QNS.COM
@QNS
On the night of Wednesday, Aug.
25, offi cers from the NYPD’s 104th
Precinct took custody of an all-terrain
vehicle (ATV) on Metropolitan Avenue
near Himrod Street in Maspeth,
further adding to an issue that has
plagued the city for quite some time.
According to police reports, as
the ATV was heading eastbound on
Metropolitan Avenue, police offi cers
conducted a car stop and found that
the individual did not have a driver’s
license.
Police took the individual and conducted
a further investigation. As a
result, the police issued summonses
for operating an ATV in New York City
and being an unlicensed driver. Any
illegal ATV or dirt bike is compounded
aft er being confi scated by the NYPD.
“Another illegal ATV off the streets!
While working in #MASPETH our
Offi cers saw the motorist of this ATV
driving recklessly. There is ZERO
TOLERANCE for these actions and we
will take strict enforcement,” the 104th
Precinct said in a tweet. The 104th Precinct confi scated an ATV in Maspeth. Photo courtesy of 104th Precinct via Twitter
Councilman Robert Holden told
QNS that illegal ATVs and dirt bikes
had been an issue in his district
— which encompasses the neighborhoods
of Glendale, Maspeth, Middle
Village, Ridgewood, Woodhaven and
Woodside — for a while now and
talked about how police need to do a
better job patrolling the area for these
disturbances.
“There are hundreds of these illegal
vehicles operating every day in my
district,” Holden said. “Much more has
to be done by the precinct and NYPD.”
In July, a 4-year-old in Flushing
Meadows Corona Park was struck by
a dirt bike rider. The child, Jonathan
Beuschamps, was hit aft er stepping
out between two parked cars in the
Meadow Lake Boathouse lot. The boy
suff ered extensive bruising, a broken
ankle and a lacerated liver. He also suffered
tremors and was monitored for
seizures.
The dirt bike driver originally fl ed
the scene but was eventually caught
and charged with felony assault, endangering
a child and other crimes.
The New York Post reported that
complaints increased by 15 percent
this year.
In response to this hit and run,
Councilman Mark Gjonaj from the
Bronx introduced “Jonathan’s Law”
that doubles the fi nes and penalties
for illegal dirt bike and ATV riders.
The law has yet to pass, but Gjonaj has
called upon Mayor Bill de Blasio to use
his executive authority to enact this
policy immediately.
As of Aug. 14, a total of 1,682 dirt
bikes, ATVs, mopeds, scooters and
motorcycles have been confi scated in
2021, according to the NYPD.
State Senator Joseph Addabbo, on
the other hand, commended the offi
cers and their work in taking on this
issue.
“We can have the best laws on the
books against these types of vehicles,
but if we do not enforce them, they
are useless,” Addabbo said. “It is great
to see the police enforcing the laws
meant to promote safety, as well as
the quality of life, of the community.”
NYPD offi cials have said in the past
that dirt bikes and ATVs plague New
York City.
“We focus our enforcement around
the annoyance and nuisance of these illegal
and dangerous motorcycles,”said
Police Chief Rodney Harrison in a
press conference earlier this summer.
“It is no surprise that confi scating
these bikes will improve pedestrian
safety, improve traffi c conditions and
diminish noise,” Harrison said. “We do
not tolerate these illegal and dangerous
vehicles. Don’t ride them. If you
do, you’re endangering yourself and
others.”
The police department off ers $100
for every dirt bike and ATV taken off
the street with a resident’s help.
The NYPD encourages all individuals
with information on where these
vehicles are being operated and stored
can call 800-577-TIPS.
Ridgewood Property Owners &
Civic Association
Zoom Meeting
2nd Thursday September 9th, 2021, 7 pm
NYPD 104th Precinct
Michael Berish, Community Affairs Officer
A presentation on policing in Ridgewood and
public safety questions and answers.
Pandemic Emergency Rental Assistance Program
For Landlords and Tenants
Presentation By Angela Mirabile, Executive Director
Greater Ridgewood Restoration Corp.
Over 40 years of service with GRRC,
Angela has helped many landlords and tenants.
The application Is a difficult process.
Angela will walk us through the steps.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87669304565?p
wd=QnBpYnY1WWlGTDg4NXo4UzFlOUhFZz09
Meeting ID: 876 6930 4565
Passcode: 912265
By Phone +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Call Angie Dykshorn if you a re having trouble signing on
646-420-7282
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