Illegal motorcycles begin racing in parking garage (VIDEO)

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The Financial Parking Center garage in Poughkeepsie.

POUGHKEEPSIE – Like many other cities in the Hudson Valley, Poughkeepsie has seen an increase in the number of unregistered off-road motorcycles and ATVs being ridden on the streets, sidewalks, and other public areas where their use is prohibited.  Many police agencies have policies that prevent officers from pursuing reckless riders due to the public safety risk.

In Poughkeepsie, the riders of dirtbikes and ATVs are commonly observed racing up and down Main Street in packs, terrorizing motorists and pedestrians by stopping at intersections to perform stunts and then racing off riding wheelies.  Many of the off-road vehicles are said to have been stolen from other areas.
In 2021, then-Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison, now a state senator, put forth a proposal to curb the use of illegal vehicles.  The Poughkeepsie proposal says that “The operators of these vehicles, usually in groups, ride with abandon over many parts of the city, including within city parks, with no regard to traffic laws, their own well-being, or the safety of bystanders. Additionally, such off-road vehicles create considerable noise and disturb the peaceful enjoyment of residents and visitors.”

The local law allows the police to impound any dirt bikes and ATVs operating on public highways and in public parks.  It also forbids the operation of these vehicles on private property without the express consent of the owner or occupant of such property.

Four days after Rolison announced the new law, the city cops went to work impounding seven off-road bikes and scooters as part of a citywide crackdown on illegal vehicles.

“The police have received numerous complaints of scooters and off-road vehicles being operated on sidewalks, streets, and our parks,” said Police Captain Rich Wilson in May of 2021.  “This was the first of many planned, unannounced, focused operations that will be initiated by the department.”

Video of recent dirt bike activity in the parking garage at Civic Center Plaza:




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