ATV attack leads aldermen to push stricter ATV laws

Marissa Alter

ROCKFORD (WREX) - ATV riders who break the law in Rockford could face steep fines and temporarily lose their vehicles. Tonight the Codes and Regulations Committee voted to change Rockford's noise ordinance, which covers loud cars, to include ATVs. That means violators will have their ATVs impounded and be fined if caught. The proposal follows an incident last month when a Rockford man was hit by an ATV.

It's been five weeks since a run-in with some ATV riders left Jerry Haiman's leg broken in three places.

"They're ATVs--all terrain. A street is not all terrain. They've got parks out there, I understand. There's no reason for them to be coming down our streets with those things," says a frustrated Haiman.

Last month, he tried to confront a group speeding down his street, something that is illegal in the city. He stuck his leg out as if to kick one of the riders. Then "next thing I know behind me, I got nailed. I didn't even see it coming."

And Haiman's not the only one with ATV concerns. Deputy Police Chief Mike Booker says ATV calls are one of the top quality of life complaints in southeast Rockford.

"It's not just the noise, " Booker explains. "It's the wanton disregard for riding those on private property. It's the reckless manner in which they're riding. And they're also using them as a mode of transportation to further criminal activity."

Tonight, the Codes and Regulations Committee decided ATV riders who break the law will face the same penalties as drivers who break the noise ordinance. $150 for the first offense, $300 for the second, and $750 after that--plus the cost of impound fees.

"What I want to do is make sure that you can go out in your yard without the fear of somebody running you down," states Alderman Lenny Jacobson, who's dealt with ATV complaints for year.

The amended ordinance still has to be approved by the full city council. Committee members also want to look at possibly requiring ATV riders to register with the city of Rockford and have some kind of license plates, so their vehicles can be identified.

Jacobson is also pushing for the police department to buy a second ATV. The department has one, but there are concerns about sending a single officers out on it alone without back-up.

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Source: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=11342747

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