San Francisco police seize dirt bikes, ATV in stunt driving crackdown
Police in San Francisco made multiple arrests and seized dirt bikes and an ATV in connection with a crackdown on illegal stunt driving over the weekend.
With the help of license plate readers, drones and surveillance cameras, along with physical surveillance, six dirt bikes were seized along with an ATV during the operation on Sunday. Two people were booked on suspicion of possession of stolen motorcycles and two were cited for driving without licenses and registration.
"We have the technology, we have the officers, and we have a clear message: This dangerous behavior has no place in San Francisco," Mayor Daniel Lurie posted on social media.
According to officers, the operation is in response to a rise in illegal dirt bike activity throughout the Bay Area. Police said large groups of riders, often riding bikes that are unregistered and not street legal, overwhelm streets and ride recklessly on roads, sidewalks and pedestrian zones.
Police said four of the seized bikes were stolen from communities in other parts of the state, including Atascadero, Grass Valley, Modesto and Yuba City.
"Anyone who engages is this illegal activity in San Francisco will be held accountable," Interim Police Chief Paul Yep said in a statement.
Officers said Monday that the cases remain under investigation and officers will be following up on leads to identify additional suspects.
Edward Siu, chairman of the Chinatown Merchants United Association, says he knows exactly when the problem started and how often it happens.
"They come in like twice a week. It happens twice a week," said Siu.
For two years, he and other merchants have urged police to stop what they call "the dirt bike problem." Large groups of riders on illegal dirt bikes have been swarming city streets, breaking traffic rules and riding recklessly. Siu says the police response was always the same:
"They say they cannot do anything because they are hard to trace and they cannot pursue them," Siu said.
Yep said arrests can be difficult, but credited new technology such as drones, automated license plate readers and surveillance cameras for helping officers avoid dangerous chases.
"Our investigators will be tracking all leads, and more arrests could be made in the days and weeks to come," Yep said at a press conference Monday.
Lurie added, "To everyone in San Francisco and outside the city… your leaders will not tolerate this lawlessness. This dangerous behavior has no place in San Francisco."
That's welcome news to merchants like Siu, who say stopping illegal riding is key to keeping Chinatown safe and open for business.
"I would encourage him to keep going on," Siu said.
Supervisor Danny Sauter also attended the press conference. He plans to introduce legislation next week to raise fines for illegal dirt bikes, noting current penalties are lower than in many other cities.
Anyone with additional info is asked to contact SFPD at 415-575-4444 or to text TIP411, beginning the message with SFPD.