The NYPD is getting a lot of flack for not chasing after illegal sport bike, dirt bike, and quad riders swarming New York City. Yesterday the cops released a video showing off dozens of two-wheeled seizures and bragged about over a thousand more.
The NYPD released a statement with this video yesterday claiming to have seized 1,440 motorcycles so far this year. They made 57 seizures on the day of the infamous Range Rover vs biker attack alone. Of their 437 arrests of motorcyclists, 187 of them were for reckless endangerment or reckless driving.
Year to date (through Oct. 3), the NYPD has issued 5,498 summonses to motorcycle operators and seized 1,440 motorcycles, quad and dirt bikes — including 57 vehicles on Sunday, Sept. 29 — citywide.
Patrol personnel have made 437 arrests, including 187 for reckless endangerment or reckless driving. Other offenses include motorcyclists operating without a license or with a suspended license, without registration or insurance, or with altered VINs or license plate violations.
Across the city police have conducted 25 motorcycle-enforcement initiatives to deter and cite dangerous or illegal motorcycle and other motorized bike operation. This includes deployment of police helicopters which help to inform ground units of problematic areas.
Obviously, the NYPD is trying to show that it's not as weak on two-wheeled crime as many make them out to be, and that reckless bikers are not above the law. I'm still not entirely convinced.
(Hat tip to E.T.'s Bicycle!)