Police Say They’re Cracking Down on H Street NE Dirt Bike Riders

Police are trying to stop illegal ATV and dirt bike riders from buzzing through Near Northeast and the rest of the First District.

Speaking at a community meeting last night, Cmdr. Jeff Brown asked locals to report packs of dirt bike riders. He told residents that officers are committed to cracking down on riders, though Metropolitan Police Department policy bars officers from chasing the vehicles.

“Don’t get discouraged if you see them flying past an officer in a scout car,” Brown said.

When police see an ATV or dirt bike zoom past, they relay information about the incident to their colleagues, who use other means to safely prevent future rides, Brown said, without elaborating. Street-mounted cameras also have helped authorities identify drivers.

D.C. Code prohibits all ATV and dirt bike riding on public property in the District.

Less than half an hour after Brown spoke at Miner Elementary School on 15th Street NE, Hill Now spotted about five ATV and dirt bike riders speeding and revving their engines past The Argonaut.