Baltimore police say dirt bike activity has increased

Police say city is heightening efforts to get illegal bikes off streets

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Police say city is heightening efforts to get illegal bikes off streets

Baltimore City police said they've recently noticed an increase in dirt bike activity.

The city is heightening its efforts to get the illegal bikes off the streets.

According to the city, officers have arrested 11 people for dirt bike violations and seized 50 dirt bikes since April. Those arrested range in age from 17 to 46 years old. In 2022, city police seized 130 illegal vehicles.

Lt. Christopher Warren said it's been a long-term issue.

"Dirt bike riding has been a problem in Baltimore City for years. It's a problem we've always been combatting," he said.

Police said an additional 17 people were charged, ranging from a summons to arrest warrants, and one handgun was recovered after a rider dropped it while fleeing from officers.

"It's a safety issue. It's not just a safety issue for the citizens and visitors of our city, it's a safety issue for the riders. We've had numerous riders killed. We've had pedestrians on sidewalks and streets hit by dirt bikes," Warren said.

The police department intends to focus on dirt bike violations throughout the summer, as officers will respond to complaints on street and dirt bike racing.

But advocates for riders believe there is a better way to alleviate the issue.

Rashad Staton is a part of B-360, a group that advocates for dirt bike culture using science and finding safe places to ride.

"I'm never opposed to law enforcement, but I'm also a community advocate, and I understand the needs, the values of how communities express themselves, the interests that we have, but still being mindful of the disinvestment," he said.

The group is currently raising money to build a dirt bike arena in the city.

"When have we seen private public city agencies (and) state agencies come together and say, 'Hey, let's take a different approach to this. Instead of criminalizing it, let's invest in it,'" Staton said.

Police said this initiative will help officers do their best to respond to the bevy of complaints they receive.

Staton said police should model their response after another well-known city program.

"One of the solutions is making sure you bring in all the resources that we've seen with the squeegee collaborative, which has done a good job," he said.

Anyone with information about dirt bike riders or violations is asked to call or text the tip line at 443-902-4474 or email [email protected].

BALTIMORE —