BERLIN, N.J. (WPVI) — Police in Berlin, New Jersey, say they are stepping up enforcement after receiving what they describe as an “outrageous” number of complaints about illegal ATV and off-road vehicle activity in several neighborhoods.
Officers recently charged multiple riders after they nearly struck a group of children, according to the department.
Residents say the noise and danger have escalated in recent months.
Jess and Mike McGowan, who live in one of the affected areas, said riders often speed through their backyard at all hours.
“It’s so loud. The whole house rattles,” Jess McGowan said.
“It’s too much, it’s gotten out of hand for sure,” she added.
Mike McGowan said it’s been a nuisance in the neighborhood for years, but the problem has grown.
“Because it’s not just the dirt bikes or ATVs; now it’s the bigger, larger side by sides, more power,” he said.
The McGowans shared video of the riders with Berlin police.
In a recent social media post, the department said New Jersey law restricts officers from chasing off-road vehicles, but pledged to use alternatives.
“We will use AI technology, drones and facial recognition as well as traditional patrol techniques to follow you to where you park these machines, and once caught, seize them and all will be charged accordingly, and a garage or shed will not help,” the police department said.
A resident named Maria said, “I think our police force has a good plan of action,” but added that it ultimately comes down to the individuals who are choosing to engage in the behavior.
“They need to think about what it is they’re doing. It’s not just a fun activity; it’s putting a lot of people, including themselves, in danger. And it’s very disrespectful,” she said.
Police say most complaints have come from two neighborhoods: The Enclave and New Freedom Village, a 55-and-over community.
Residents say their primary concern is safety.
“I don’t want to take fun away from anybody, but it has to be done in the right place,” he said. “There’s places I believe that you can go do this, someplace else, not through people’s properties in the middle of neighborhoods where kids are running around. That’s the biggest concern – that somebody’s gonna get hurt and it’s gonna be too late when that happens.”
Police are urging residents who witness illegal off-road vehicle activity to report it and say anonymous tips can be submitted online here.
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