By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Rockford police have impounded two off-road vehicles as the result of information from a tipster, marking the first success since police began offering a $200 reward for information that leads to the confiscation of an illegally operated ATV.
Police Chief Carla Redd said info came in via the Tip 411 line while she was at the July 29 City Council meeting. She interacted with the tipster to gather the details and then connected with one of her lieutenants to get officers in route.
“One of the ATVs actually fled from us, but it later stalled out on them and we were able to confiscate that one as well as the second one,” Redd said.
Related: Traffic tickets are up 42% in Rockford this year; police expect those numbers to rise
That first successful tip came six days after the city began offering $200 for information that leads to arrest or impoundment. Police started offering the reward after receiving dozens of complaints about ATVs illegally moving down city streets, sometimes in large packs of up to 20.
“It’s definitely a win in our books,” Redd said. “Our residents know who are out riding these ATVs. I guess when you reach a point of being sick and tired of being sick and tired you’ll make that call or send that tip in so that we can get there.”
Off-road vehicles such as ATVs and dirt bikes are not street legal under Illinois law. Rockford tacked on its own additional regulations in August 2022 that prohibit off-road vehicles from being fueled at a gas station unless secured to a trailer or truck bed. The city also requires owners to register their ATVs and other non-highway vehicles.
Last month, police announced the reward system as part of its goal to crack down on ATVs driving down public streets, which they say creates a safety hazard for other motorists and pedestrians.
“We also have some officers who are doing follow up on the backside because we get tips nonstop,” Redd said. “We need those tips to keep coming in. We have more money to pay out so we definitely want to hear from our residents.”
Send in a tip
The Rockford Police Department is offering a $200 reward for tips that lead to an arrest or confiscation of ATVs or off-road vehicles that were operated illegally on public roadways.
- Text a tip by texting RPDTIP and the information to 847411.
- Send a tip online by going HERE
- For emergencies, call 911. For non-emergencies, call 815-966-2900
- Send a tip through the Tip 411 app
Register your ATV
Rockford City Council approved new regulations and a mandatory registration for ATVs in August 2022. You can register your ATV for no cost by going HERE.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas