This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/police-in-district-counties-to-announce-dirt-bike-crackdown/2016/04/07/c1b801a6-fc13-11e5-9140-e61d062438bb_story.html

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Police in District, area counties announce dirt bike crackdown Police in District, area counties announce dirt bike crackdown
(35 minutes later)
Police from the District, Maryland and Virginia described Thursday how they plan to combat what has become a rite of passage as the days get warmer — the scourge of dirt bikers taking over the streets.Police from the District, Maryland and Virginia described Thursday how they plan to combat what has become a rite of passage as the days get warmer — the scourge of dirt bikers taking over the streets.
“Enough is enough,” said D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier at a news conference.“Enough is enough,” said D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier at a news conference.
Lanier said that she and representatives from seven other police agencies, along with the U.S. attorney’s office, have been conducting an investigation for several months regarding bikers.Lanier said that she and representatives from seven other police agencies, along with the U.S. attorney’s office, have been conducting an investigation for several months regarding bikers.
In the past year, Lanier said, 400 bikes have been confiscated, 100 arrests have been made and she expects to release 245 images to the public. She said the illegal dirt bikes that were seized will be destroyed.In the past year, Lanier said, 400 bikes have been confiscated, 100 arrests have been made and she expects to release 245 images to the public. She said the illegal dirt bikes that were seized will be destroyed.
[Police release hundreds of images]
Swarms of dirt bike riders have taken over streets across the region, from Baltimore to the District and their suburbs, taunting police to stop them as they ride in packs, doing wheelies, weaving around traffic and ignoring traffic laws.Swarms of dirt bike riders have taken over streets across the region, from Baltimore to the District and their suburbs, taunting police to stop them as they ride in packs, doing wheelies, weaving around traffic and ignoring traffic laws.
This week, some Shaw residents complained about seeing packs of illegal bikes and all-terrain vehicles commandeering streets. And in Prince George’s County, officials said they had two preventable fatalities that were connected to ATVs and dirt bikes.This week, some Shaw residents complained about seeing packs of illegal bikes and all-terrain vehicles commandeering streets. And in Prince George’s County, officials said they had two preventable fatalities that were connected to ATVs and dirt bikes.
[Dirt bikes swarm over District, Beltway as complaints to police pour in][Dirt bikes swarm over District, Beltway as complaints to police pour in]
Police in most areas, including Washington and Baltimore, forbid officers from chasing the bikes, as it is often more dangerous than simply leaving them alone. Authorities have tried many alternative methods to stop them, none of which have curtailed the activity.Police in most areas, including Washington and Baltimore, forbid officers from chasing the bikes, as it is often more dangerous than simply leaving them alone. Authorities have tried many alternative methods to stop them, none of which have curtailed the activity.
In Baltimore — where riders are immortalized in a British film called “12 O’Clock Boys” — lawmakers are proposing building a track to lure riders off the streets. Police there shut down streets along popular routes, and made it illegal for gas stations to sell to off-road vehicles. In the District, police offer a $250 reward to anyone with a tip leading to a bike that is seized, and use helicopters to track bikers as they ride through the city in hopes of seizing bikes at the end of the ride.In Baltimore — where riders are immortalized in a British film called “12 O’Clock Boys” — lawmakers are proposing building a track to lure riders off the streets. Police there shut down streets along popular routes, and made it illegal for gas stations to sell to off-road vehicles. In the District, police offer a $250 reward to anyone with a tip leading to a bike that is seized, and use helicopters to track bikers as they ride through the city in hopes of seizing bikes at the end of the ride.
[Outlaw dirt bikes take to streets after dark][Outlaw dirt bikes take to streets after dark]
But restrictions on police chases frustrate residents who view it as authorities giving tacit approval to illegal activity. They are frightened when caught in the middle of a pack, and complain, as they did last week, as 50 dirt bikes and ATVs rode through Shaw and right by a parked D.C. police cruiser.But restrictions on police chases frustrate residents who view it as authorities giving tacit approval to illegal activity. They are frightened when caught in the middle of a pack, and complain, as they did last week, as 50 dirt bikes and ATVs rode through Shaw and right by a parked D.C. police cruiser.
In December, dozens of motorcycles, dirt bikes and ATVs rode from Arlington County across the Key Bridge and into the District, roaring through NoMa and Georgetown and turning M Street into a drag strip. Frightened bystanders called 911, but the bikers were on the Capital Beltway before police could respond.In December, dozens of motorcycles, dirt bikes and ATVs rode from Arlington County across the Key Bridge and into the District, roaring through NoMa and Georgetown and turning M Street into a drag strip. Frightened bystanders called 911, but the bikers were on the Capital Beltway before police could respond.
On the Beltway, bikers performed stunts and laid down so much rubber that plumes of smoke rose from the pavement, bringing traffic to a crawl. A motorcycle group said they were out for a weekend ride when bikers from Baltimore infiltrated and started performing dangerous maneuvers.On the Beltway, bikers performed stunts and laid down so much rubber that plumes of smoke rose from the pavement, bringing traffic to a crawl. A motorcycle group said they were out for a weekend ride when bikers from Baltimore infiltrated and started performing dangerous maneuvers.
Police were not able to make any arrests, even as motorists complained that they called 911 but got little to no response.Police were not able to make any arrests, even as motorists complained that they called 911 but got little to no response.
Today’s announcement included representatives from Prince George’s, Montgomery, Arlington and Alexandria counties, along with state police from Maryland and Virginia, the U.S. Park Police and the Maryland National-Capital Park Police.Today’s announcement included representatives from Prince George’s, Montgomery, Arlington and Alexandria counties, along with state police from Maryland and Virginia, the U.S. Park Police and the Maryland National-Capital Park Police.
Dana Hedgpeth and Lynh Bui contributed to this report.Dana Hedgpeth and Lynh Bui contributed to this report.