Anyway,
Having ridden dirtbikes for nearly 45 years, I have a few things to say in regards to the current Dirtbike scene in some areas.
As I was checking out some news, I ran across a few interesting headlines and links on Microsoft's news feed. Imagine 3 stories out of Baltimore in the headlines about VICTIMS of CRIMES and or Accidents likely from CRIMES.
This one came from WBFF News:
https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local...ers-in-connection-with-northern-pkwy-shooting
The one that got me looking for info was this one.
https://foxbaltimore.com/amp/news/local/dirt-biker-killed-in-annapolis-accident
AND within that page, a " Related article"
https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local...angerous-dirt-bike-dilemma-drives-up-concerns
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I could not help but shake my head at some places in this article.................
"Baltimore’s dirt bike “counterculture,” as Rev. Al Hathaway described it, has been a problem in the City for years and one City leaders have seemingly ignored."
Hathaway, the leader of the faith-based group Act Now Baltimore, said he sees the illegal activity as a counterculture and an activity spawned out of the City not embracing the talent of the drivers in the first place.
“They shouldn’t be ostracized, they should be embraced,” Hathaway said. “As a result, they are demonstrating their skills in places that we really don’t want them to be.”
However, Hathaway said he wouldn’t be opposed to making the activity legal somehow and allow people to make some money.
“Maybe we should license them and make them take a driver’s test. Maybe that’s the way to go,” he said. “Maybe we need to look at it like an industry, like a business where people can earn a living.”
Councilman Eric Costello represents the Federal Hill area and did not respond to questions from FOX45 News on May 25 about what he would like to see done at the city level to address the dangerous activity.
The video from Federal Hill surfaced after video from Fells Point on Saturday evening showed dirt bikers riding down a crowded street, popping wheelies while a BPD cruiser drives behind.
Due to safety concerns, it’s BPD’s policy not to chase or pursue bikers or other motorists for most situations.
“Even though it’s not an activity that we want, it’s just too dangerous,” Jason Johnson said, former deputy BPD commissioner.
FOX45 News learned in May that the task force dedicated to tackling the dirt bike problems, launched in 2016, was disbanded.
“The Baltimore Police Department continues to address the illegal use of dirt bikes in Baltimore City. We are asking residents that if they have any information on suspects or storage locations for dirt bikes to please call, text or even send pictures to our Tip Line at 443-902-4474,” BPD Spokesperson Lindsey Eldridge said. “Additionally, the department is working to educate local gas station owners on preventing illegal dirt bike fueling. Gas stations that willingly allow dirt bikes and other unregistered vehicles to fuel at their stations are subject to a $1,000.00 fine or imprisonment for no more than 90 days.”
But Johnson said the best thing to do to deal with the dirt bikers is to bring back the task force, noting the effectiveness of it when it was operational.
“I would question the wisdom of that because the dirt bike challenge presents a real threat to public safety,” Johnson said of disbanding the task force. “The video of the weekend in Fells Point is just another reminder. There are people standing very close by where there are people who are just driving very, very fast and it just appears to be unsafe.”
Questions to BPD about why the dirt bike task force was disbanded were not answered on May 24.
Outside of the task force right now, Johnson said City Council plays a role in enforcement and tackling the issues as well. Johnson said councilmembers could pass legislation to empower officers with more tools to confiscate some bikes in certain situations. Confiscation of ATVs and dirt bikes by BPD already happened at least once this year in Curtis Bay.
Councilman Zeke Cohen represents Fells Point, the area where the latest video of dirt bikers surfaced over the weekend, issued a statement to FOX45 News on May 23 and said he works with state leaders and various non-profits to stop the safety concerns.
“There is no simple solution. BPD has made it clear that they will not chase dirt bike riders. I support organizations like B-360 and power fest Baltimore that invest in the capacity of young people who are interested in dirt biking while discouraging unsafe practices,” Cohen wrote. “I will continue to work with urgency with all stakeholders for public safety."
B-360 taps into the dirt bike culture by linking riders to stem education founded by a former chemical engineer and elementary teacher. It's gotten more than 30 riders off the streets and into jobs.
Questions to Cohen went ignored May 24 about what exactly he’s doing to help stop the illegal activity and if he would support similar legislation floated by Johnson.
In the meantime, with warmer weather on the horizon again, Johnson said Baltimore City leaders should act sooner than later.
“We shouldn’t wait for a tragedy, a child to be struck, or something like that before we act,” Johnson said.
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SO, How many of us think every one of the dirtbikes and ATV's out on the streets are Legally Owned by the Operators, Bought and Paid for with money from JOBS? I mean JOBS of the operators,,,,,,,,,,,, Not JOBS of people who had their bikes stolen by THUGS?
Anyone think the Annapolis Youth who is now dead, was riding legally? We all know that MORE laws means Less crime, MOMS and Joe Bidet and Froschole tell us so every time they attempt to solve Murders by blaming the Tools of the crimes instead of dealing with the actual root of the problem, THE PERPETRATORS.
Having ridden dirtbikes for nearly 45 years, I have a few things to say in regards to the current Dirtbike scene in some areas.
As I was checking out some news, I ran across a few interesting headlines and links on Microsoft's news feed. Imagine 3 stories out of Baltimore in the headlines about VICTIMS of CRIMES and or Accidents likely from CRIMES.
This one came from WBFF News:
https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local...ers-in-connection-with-northern-pkwy-shooting
The one that got me looking for info was this one.
https://foxbaltimore.com/amp/news/local/dirt-biker-killed-in-annapolis-accident
AND within that page, a " Related article"
https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local...angerous-dirt-bike-dilemma-drives-up-concerns
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I could not help but shake my head at some places in this article.................
"Baltimore’s dirt bike “counterculture,” as Rev. Al Hathaway described it, has been a problem in the City for years and one City leaders have seemingly ignored."
Hathaway, the leader of the faith-based group Act Now Baltimore, said he sees the illegal activity as a counterculture and an activity spawned out of the City not embracing the talent of the drivers in the first place.
“They shouldn’t be ostracized, they should be embraced,” Hathaway said. “As a result, they are demonstrating their skills in places that we really don’t want them to be.”
However, Hathaway said he wouldn’t be opposed to making the activity legal somehow and allow people to make some money.
“Maybe we should license them and make them take a driver’s test. Maybe that’s the way to go,” he said. “Maybe we need to look at it like an industry, like a business where people can earn a living.”
Councilman Eric Costello represents the Federal Hill area and did not respond to questions from FOX45 News on May 25 about what he would like to see done at the city level to address the dangerous activity.
The video from Federal Hill surfaced after video from Fells Point on Saturday evening showed dirt bikers riding down a crowded street, popping wheelies while a BPD cruiser drives behind.
Due to safety concerns, it’s BPD’s policy not to chase or pursue bikers or other motorists for most situations.
“Even though it’s not an activity that we want, it’s just too dangerous,” Jason Johnson said, former deputy BPD commissioner.
FOX45 News learned in May that the task force dedicated to tackling the dirt bike problems, launched in 2016, was disbanded.
“The Baltimore Police Department continues to address the illegal use of dirt bikes in Baltimore City. We are asking residents that if they have any information on suspects or storage locations for dirt bikes to please call, text or even send pictures to our Tip Line at 443-902-4474,” BPD Spokesperson Lindsey Eldridge said. “Additionally, the department is working to educate local gas station owners on preventing illegal dirt bike fueling. Gas stations that willingly allow dirt bikes and other unregistered vehicles to fuel at their stations are subject to a $1,000.00 fine or imprisonment for no more than 90 days.”
But Johnson said the best thing to do to deal with the dirt bikers is to bring back the task force, noting the effectiveness of it when it was operational.
“I would question the wisdom of that because the dirt bike challenge presents a real threat to public safety,” Johnson said of disbanding the task force. “The video of the weekend in Fells Point is just another reminder. There are people standing very close by where there are people who are just driving very, very fast and it just appears to be unsafe.”
Questions to BPD about why the dirt bike task force was disbanded were not answered on May 24.
Outside of the task force right now, Johnson said City Council plays a role in enforcement and tackling the issues as well. Johnson said councilmembers could pass legislation to empower officers with more tools to confiscate some bikes in certain situations. Confiscation of ATVs and dirt bikes by BPD already happened at least once this year in Curtis Bay.
Councilman Zeke Cohen represents Fells Point, the area where the latest video of dirt bikers surfaced over the weekend, issued a statement to FOX45 News on May 23 and said he works with state leaders and various non-profits to stop the safety concerns.
“There is no simple solution. BPD has made it clear that they will not chase dirt bike riders. I support organizations like B-360 and power fest Baltimore that invest in the capacity of young people who are interested in dirt biking while discouraging unsafe practices,” Cohen wrote. “I will continue to work with urgency with all stakeholders for public safety."
B-360 taps into the dirt bike culture by linking riders to stem education founded by a former chemical engineer and elementary teacher. It's gotten more than 30 riders off the streets and into jobs.
Questions to Cohen went ignored May 24 about what exactly he’s doing to help stop the illegal activity and if he would support similar legislation floated by Johnson.
In the meantime, with warmer weather on the horizon again, Johnson said Baltimore City leaders should act sooner than later.
“We shouldn’t wait for a tragedy, a child to be struck, or something like that before we act,” Johnson said.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SO, How many of us think every one of the dirtbikes and ATV's out on the streets are Legally Owned by the Operators, Bought and Paid for with money from JOBS? I mean JOBS of the operators,,,,,,,,,,,, Not JOBS of people who had their bikes stolen by THUGS?
Anyone think the Annapolis Youth who is now dead, was riding legally? We all know that MORE laws means Less crime, MOMS and Joe Bidet and Froschole tell us so every time they attempt to solve Murders by blaming the Tools of the crimes instead of dealing with the actual root of the problem, THE PERPETRATORS.
