Mayor Mitchell Working On Regulations Over ATV Use

A New Bedford Police officer was hospitalized Halloween night during an arrest of nine people who were operating off-road vehicles near the former Flagship Cinemas on Kings Highway.

That police officer, Sgt. Candido Trinidad, was released from Rhode Island Hospital later that evening after being treated for serious injuries related to the incident.

Mayor Jon Mitchell issued a statement calling the situation unacceptable and said that his administration was taking action to address the illegal use of off-road vehicles in the city.

"I've directed our City Solicitor to come up with an ordinance that is going to help us crack down on ATV use in our neighborhoods, so that we can raise penalties and make it harder for ATV users to get their bikes back after they've been confiscated," said Mayor Mitchell.

Mayor Mitchell says they are also looking at increased fines and a broader definition of what off-road vehicles can be prohibited.

"We're looking at increased fines and broadening the scope of the prohibitions out there," said Mitchell. "If you've got an unregistered ATV and if you're driving it around our streets, if you're on sidewalks, if you're doing something reckless with it, you're going to get it taken away from you, I think that's what people need to know."

Although he didn't provide a specific date, Mayor Mitchell says he's confident that they should be able to roll out the new regulations "fairly soon."