LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey said a proposed ordinance would let officers safely confiscate and even crush ATVs and dirt bikes.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville’s police chief is pushing for tougher action against illegal ATV and dirt bike use in southwest Jefferson County, similar to the department’s approach to curbing street racing.
Authorities say non-street-legal vehicles have been showing up more frequently in the area.
Metro Councilwoman Crystal Bast (District 14) introduced legislation that would make enforcement easier for LMPD, allowing the department to use drones and conduct blitz operations to keep these vehicles off the roads.
In a live interview with WHAS11, LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey voiced support for the ordinance, noting that it would give officers the authority to confiscate and even crush ATVs and dirt bikes.
“When we talked about the street racing, oftentimes we followed up and got those cars after the fact, when it was safer to do it,” Humphrey said. “We didn’t have to chase people and things like that. I’m expecting that we’re gonna be able to do the same thing with a lot of these ATVs and dirt bikes to make sure we can keep it calm down there for the residents.”
Humphrey added that the proposal would also make the process safer for officers removing these vehicles from city streets.
“The last thing I want to do is have an officer chasing a car, putting themselves in harm’s way or putting innocents in harm’s way,” he said. “You’re talking about an uncontrollable event, oftentimes where we’re asking officers to make split-second decisions, and I don’t want them to unreasonably risk their lives.”
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