Are Providence streets seeing fewer ATVs and dirt bikes? If it seems quieter, here's why

PROVIDENCE – If city streets seem quieter this summer, that's because they probably are.

Short of deploying decibel readers throughout the city, there is no way to measure noise pollution this year, but one thing is fairly certain: dirt bike and ATV activity, anecdotally, is on the decline.

The Providence Police Department's five-member Community Response Team, a task force dedicated to getting illegal vehicles off the street, has seized 114 illegal bikes and ATVs this year as of early August. Each member, who makes upwards of $80,000 per year, is tracking ATVs as a full-time job. By comparison, under former Mayor Jorge Elorza, 102 illegal vehicles were seized from 2020 through 2022.

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"We’re a lot more intelligence-based; there’s a lot more proactive policing," the city's police chief, Col. Oscar Perez, said of the department's current approach. "But I have to say it’s the use of undercover work, intelligence-based [work]. There’s a team effort … involved."

That might mean looking for clues on social media, investigating tips passed through the city's ATV hotline and ultimately making arrests. According to the city, those have happened without incident – a stark contrast to the infamous 2021 police chase that left the rider of a motorized scooter, Jhamal Gonsalves, with a serious head injury.

Perez said the goal is to use search warrants and undercover work, and avoid situations that involve use of force.

“That was the mission, that was the vision of being able to do our job in a safe, constitutional manner, and that has been the focus of this unit," Perez said. "And they have been very successful in doing so."

Dirt bikes and ATVs, once a daily sight in Providence, have begun to disappear

Rick Simone, president of the Federal Hill Commerce Association, had become accustomed to constant alerts about illegal vehicles tearing down neighborhood streets.

"Last summer, I would get daily text messages or calls or pictures sent to me of the ATVs coming through," Simone recalled. "When I say daily, I’m really not exaggerating. Probably six out of seven days of the week."

Simone said it was typical for riders to surround cars and avoid stopping for pedestrians. Now, he says, the neighborhood – chock full of restaurants and visitors looking to dine on Italian specialties – is peaceful.

"One of the owners in the plaza just said their guests feel safer," Simone said.

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Coordination across cities reduces illegal riding in some areas

Part of Providence's work involves coordinating with neighboring municipalities.

"We do see crossover between cities, typically when there are large groups riding through the cities," said Pawtucket City Hall spokeswoman Grace Voll.

According to Voll, police calls involving dirt bikes and ATVs have steadily decreased in past summers. The summer of 2020 saw 55 calls, 2021 saw 35 calls, 2022 saw 18 calls and 2023 was roughly on pace at this point with 19 calls.

In Cranston, the situation is slightly different. The police chief, Col. Michael Winquist, said riders typically veer into Cranston, see an officer and flee back to Providence, so activity in Cranston isn't as pronounced.

"We truly believe as a result of our enforcement in the use of illegal ATV/motorcycles and then the forfeiture of these vehicles, these measures have resonated in the biking community and has lead to a drastic decrease," Winquist said via email. "This is also confirmed when we have interactions with these offenders that they readily agree they are well aware of Cranston’s enforcement. In Cranston we have very strong community support from the resident up on to the elected officials, to rid the city of these illegal motorcycles."

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For Smiley, vindication of a campaign promise

Mayor Brett Smiley memorably campaigned on the need to address quality-of-life issues, and he put a spotlight on dirt bikes and ATVs. Yet, in his telling, not everyone thought it was such a big deal.

"I think there were some people who questioned the amount of attention and focus that I put on this issue," the mayor said in a recent call with The Providence Journal. "They’re like, 'Really? Is that really a top issue?' And the reality is I had just come off of a campaign where I knocked on thousands of doors … and I used to hear this time and time again as the top concern from folks in every corner of the city."

Cities across the Northeast are still struggling to banish illegal vehicles from their roads.

In July, the Boston Police Department warned of a surge in ATV activity, stating the vehicles were "causing havoc in the neighborhoods we serve despite the continued efforts of BPD officers across the city." In Connecticut, the New Haven Register reported multiple dirt bike and ATV incidents over the past weekend, including a crash.

Smiley is taking a cautiously optimistic view of Providence's success.

"I will say today I don't want to declare victory or unfurl the mission-accomplished banner," the mayor said. "But certainly the success that the Community Response Team has had to date has exceeded my expectation and I'm gratified that I'm hearing from community members that they notice a difference."

One more thing he wanted to add? The number for Providence's dirt bike/ATV tip line: (401) 680-8288.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence ATV activity down thanks to task force, other cities' help