GoLocalProv

Thursday, April 13, 2023

GoLocalProv News Team

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ATV gang gassing up on Valley Street Wednesday night at 9 PM

A video obtained by GoLocal shows a group of roughly a half dozen dirt bikes and AVTs getting gas at the Mobil Staton on Valley Street shortly after 9 PM on Wednesday, in the Olneyville section of the city.

The location is in close proximity to Route 6 and downtown Providence.

The presence of off-road vehicles on city streets comes just a week after Providence Mayor Brett Smiley — and Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez — pledged a new dedicated task force to address the ongoing problem plaguing Providence.

"We want people to know we are serious about stopping the use of these illegal vehicles that put everyone at risk and make our streets unsafe," said Smiley at City Hall on Wednesday, April 5. "By creating the Community Response Team, we will be using more resources than in the past to detect activity before it occurs, and we will be pursuing the appropriate criminal charges. No one should be using these vehicles and if they are caught doing so, they will face serious consequences."

Riders on Streets — and Police

In March, a Providence Police officer was surrounded by riders at the Providence-Cranston line — and drew his weapon.

One arrest was made as officers attempted to address a group of dozens of riders assembled off Niantic Avenue.

In September of 2021, Providence Police attempted to apprehend riders at a gas station on Smithfield Avenue.

As GoLocal reported:

According to police, at least 50 ATVs and dirt bikes began to exit the gas station onto the surrounding roads. As additional police were called in for backup, the illegal vehicles began reportedly obstructing traffic — and circling the officers.

One of the riders allegedly smashed a taillight on one of the police cruisers before riding away.

As the vehicles then fled the gas station, police responded to a report of an overturned ATV. The rider told police he had tried to brake when he was thrown over the handlebars.

That rider, Ruiz Gonazlez, was arrested.

Smiley and Perez said at the press conference unveiling the city's new policy that the task force is intended to be proactive in addressing the issue of illegal off-road vehicle — before they hit city streets.