Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban, alongside NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell, made an announcement on Wednesday at the Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island. They revealed their plans to intensify enforcement measures against illegal vehicles during the summer. Chief Chell emphasized that these prohibited bikes are not only a major quality-of-life concern in the city, but also frequently used in criminal activities. He stated, “They are a complete menace to the streets of New York City.”
According to Chell, authorities have confiscated a staggering 41,000 illegal mopeds and scooters in the last two years alone, with 13,000 of those seizures taking place since January 1st. Impressively, the current pace of seizures is on track to reach 30,000 by the end of 2024, setting a new record.
Police and city officials have recently ramped up their efforts to combat illegal vehicles, and their latest action involved the use of two bulldozers to crush rows of seized mopeds and scooters. This move was announced following enhanced enforcement measures against these vehicles. FOX5 New York WNYW has reported on this story.
According to John Chell, the Chief of Patrol at NYPD, many criminals on the streets of New York City rely on illegal mopeds and scooters as their primary means of transportation.
The authorities took swift action after the press conference. They used bulldozers to flatten the illegal mopeds and scooters.
New York’s Democratic Governor has put party over climate by indefinitely halting the congestion pricing plan.
Following a foot pursuit that took place after two NYPD officers chased a suspect driving an illegal scooter on the wrong side of the street, the announcement has been made that the suspect, identified as an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, had been involved in multiple crimes and had been shot along with the officers. Fortunately, all three individuals involved in the shooting survived.
According to recent public police data, although overall crime in the city has decreased, robbery and felony assault have increased by 6.3% and 5.1%, respectively, since this time last year.