Evans to Illegal ATV, Dirt Bike Riders: Street Legal or Scrap Metal

Mayor Malik D. Evans and members of his team on Tuesday oversaw the disposal of more than 50 illegal ATVs and dirt bikes at the City Auto Impound Yard, highlighting the city’s commitment to public safety and quality of life in Rochester neighborhoods.

"The former owners of these vehicles invested a lot of money into a pastime that doesn’t belong on our streets," Evans said. "Because they didn’t follow the law, they will now be turned into scrap metal. The choice is simple: street legal, or scrapyard ready."

With warmer weather approaching, the Rochester Police Department is increasing special operations to intercept illegal gatherings of ATVs and dirt bikes, which create unsafe conditions on roadways, parking lots, parks and green spaces. Confiscated vehicles are taken to the City Impound Yard, where oil, gas and batteries are removed before the vehicles are scrapped.

The vehicle disposal event took place during the city's latest Public Safety Update, part of a series of regular briefings initiated after Evans declared a Gun Violence State of Emergency in 2022.

Since the emergency order was enacted, key gun-related crimes have fallen by about 50 percent between 2021 and 2024, with reductions continuing into this year. Compared to the same period last year, shootings are down 32 percent, shooting victims are down 43 percent, and total homicides are down 36 percent, from 11 to seven. However, Evans noted that all seven homicide victims this year were killed by gunfire, underscoring the need to maintain the emergency order.

"While gun violence and overall violent crime remain our top priorities, we are also taking a vigorous approach to enforcing quality-of-life crimes — the illegal activities that disrupt our neighborhoods and fuel a general disregard for law and order," Evans said.