City Council to hold hearing on illegal ATV use

There are enough complaints about people riding ATVs illegally on Philadelphia streets that City Council will hold hearings on the problem. 

Philadelphia police are not allowed to pursue all-terrain vehicles even though they can’t be ridden legally anywhere within the city.  Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown says she wants to review the problem to see if there is a better approach.

“First get a handle on what regulations and or laws are in place,” she said. “It’s clear, it’s obvious to us, that what is in place isn’t working when we look to see more and more young people are being hurt — and the reckless behavior that upticks during the summer months.”

Police don’t chase ATV riders to avoid causing crashes that would injure bystanders, but Reynolds Brown says officers are handcuffed by the policy.

“So that is impacting why ATVs continue to be out of control,” she siad. “Meeting with police, even meeting with the youth commission, we want to provide a list of recommendations to strengthen what is already in place.”

A hearing is expected to be scheduled for the fall.