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Cops: Doom to those who zoom around city on ATVs, dirt bikes

Police warn illegal riders that their vehicles will be confiscated and urge citizens to report lawbreakers.

Police from the auto squad unit look over numerous ATVs and dirt bikes, Sunday Aug. 5, 2012, which were confiscated during a sting operation in the Kensington section of Philadelphia. (For the Inquirer and Daily News/ Joseph Kaczmarek)
Police from the auto squad unit look over numerous ATVs and dirt bikes, Sunday Aug. 5, 2012, which were confiscated during a sting operation in the Kensington section of Philadelphia. (For the Inquirer and Daily News/ Joseph Kaczmarek)Read more

AS THE WEATHER warms, the sounds of summer are starting: birds singing, the ping of baseballs hitting bats, the chatter of children frolicking outdoors - and the roar of dirt bikes and ATVs tearing around city streets and parks.

That last urban bane already has prompted Philadelphia police to issue their annual appeal to citizens: They want fans of four-wheelers and dirt bikes to stay off public property and residents to report scofflaws.

"These vehicles are not legal to drive on the city streets. They are also frequently operated in a reckless manner with disregard for pedestrians and other vehicles," reads the appeal on the department's blog. "The police department needs your help in preventing and stopping the illegal use of these vehicles."

So far this year, police have confiscated 36 ATVs and dirt bikes in periodic crackdowns, according to the blog.

Although it's illegal to ride ATVs and dirt bikes on city streets and in parks, thousands flout the law and do. Police policy prohibits officers from chasing offenders, but that policy isn't always followed, riders say.

The practice has proved deadly and injurious for both riders and innocent citizens. The Daily News wrote about the problem in 2012, prompting city leaders to toughen penalties against offenders.

Police urge anyone who sees dirt bikers or ATV riders on city streets or in parks to call 9-1-1 or 215-686-TIPS.