Why do Rockford police rarely chase ATVs? Here’s what the mayor says

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — As the city attempts to crack down on ATVs and dirt bikes riding on public streets, mayor Tom McNamara has faced a common critique about enforcement: “Why don’t police chase them?”

McNamara addressed that concern Friday at City Hall during a scheduled time to take questions from reporters. His comments come ahead of a City Council meeting on Monday where aldermen will decide on new rules for ATVs that would create a citywide registry and prohibit the vehicles from fueling at gas stations unless on a trailer.

“When we have chased ATVs in the past they’ve jumped curbs, they drive through yards, through alleys at high rates of speed,” McNamara said. “We never know when a child may be playing in a yard or someone backing out into their alley, and we certainly don’t want to cause further damage or further public safety concerns.”

State law prohibits officers from using certain tactics, such as the spiky stop sticks that puncture tires, in pursuit of off-road vehicles, McNamara said.

Still, he said there are some situations where officers will pursue the vehicles.

“You’ll never hear me say never chase because there’s always going to be some instance or some reason why we may,” he said.

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The Rockford Police Department’s pursuit policy lays out guidelines for when officers can chase vehicles that attempt to flee.

“Pursuit is authorized only if the officer has a reasonable belief that the suspect, if allowed to flee, would present a danger to human life or cause serious injury,” the policy reads. “In general, pursuits for minor violations are discouraged.”

The new rules City Council members are considering Monday would specifically state that the vehicles can be impounded from public and private property. That would give the city greater authority to locate and seize the vehicles from offenders, city officials said.

“ATVs can be incredibly dangerous for our officers to chase, not just for our officers’ safety, not just for the safety and livelihood of the person driving the ATVs, but really for the community at large,” McNamara said.

He said he expects City Council members to approve the measure on Monday, and it will take time to put the registry into place.

“That registration does not cost a single dollar,” he said. “This is not some form of cash grab; it’s just so we know which are the legal ATVs and registered ATVs.”

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.