As illegal
dirt biking and drag racing continue to become a public safety crisis across
the city, one Bronx legislator is fighting to increase fines to keep New
Yorkers safe.
Councilmember
Mark Gjonaj came together with members of the New York City Police Department
yesterday to announce legislation that would increase fines to $750 for the
first offense of operating dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles on city
roadways, and $1,500 for additional offenses.
The current
fines are $500 for the first offense, and $1,000 for any additional offenses.
"Dirt
bikes, four wheelers, reckless driving, drag racing, is illegal in city of New
York," Gjonaj says. "But as you see and witness for yourself, you
wouldn't know any better because of the number of illegal bikes that have taken
over our streets."
The victim
was shot in the head four times and is now in stable condition at New York
Health + Hospitals/Lincoln.
"It's
becoming a weapon and a means of escape, knowing that no one will chase
you," Gjonaj says. "And that's what we are now as a city."
The NYPD
announced in May that it is offering $100 for every illegal dirt bike or
ATV confiscated by providing tips through Crime Stoppers.
Seized
bikes and ATVs without a rightful owner are destroyed by the NYPD, though the
department warned that officers will not engage in pursuits when the danger of
the pursuit outweighs the violation.