BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Buffalo Common Council Members Mitch Nowakowski and Bryan Bollman have introduced legislation to combat illegal ATV use in the City of Buffalo.
They jointly introduced an ordinance amendment to Chapter 309 of the Buffalo City Code which clearly outlines the illegality of operating an ATV or similar motor vehicle on city streets or in city parks and establishes new penalties for violations.
Throughout the summer of 2020 there were several instances of off-road vehicles taking over city streets. In September the Buffalo Police Department partnered with the Erie County Sheriff's Office on a coordinated effort to get them off the streets.
Fillmore District Council Member Nowakowski and Lovejoy District Council Member Bollman say the amendment explicitly states no person shall operate an ATV on any Buffalo street or in any park and the penalty for illegal operation will include a fine of up to $2,500 and seizure of the vehicle.
“These ordinance amendments help law enforcement to appropriate illegal ATV’s and put requirements on their retrieval so they do not constantly wreak havoc on our streets,” said Nowakowski. “As legislators it is our job to make sure that the residents of this city are safe, and I believe this legislation is a huge step in the fight against illegal ATV operation.”
"We have witnessed a significant increase in ATV activity on the streets and parks in our neighborhoods creating an unacceptable threat to public safety that left residents demanding solutions,” said Bollman. "This amendment aims to provide solutions and tools for authorities to make an impact and decrease the number of reckless, unlawful vehicles endangering the pedestrians and drivers in The City of Buffalo."
Nowakowski and Bollman say they will host a press conference on January 19 to discuss the amendment in detail.
