Help the Mount Airy Police Department - MD!
You are enjoying one of our trails or parks and you are disturbed by the sound of a motorbike that recklessly rushes by you. This is becoming a common occurrence reported by our residents.
The Mount Airy Police Department needs your help to stop and prevent these crimes.
Unfortunately, no neighborhood is completely immune to this type of behavior. However, there are steps you can take to help keep your family and neighborhood safe.
One of the most important steps is: REPORT THIS ACTIVITY by calling the non-emergency dispatch number at 410-386-2860.
When these juveniles and adults operate these vehicles on public streets, trails, and parking lots, they are in violation of numerous traffic, criminal and local laws, and ordinances.
All the traffic violations are too numerous to list but can include:
• Driving without a license
• Operating an unregistered motor vehicle
• Reckless operation and many more
Fines can reach thousands of dollars for these violations.
These operators are also many times in violation of Maryland criminal laws as follows:
CR 6-405
MISDEMEANOR
$500.00 - 90 DAYS
*2_2250* **OFF-ROAD VEH/GOV PROPERTY**
...did unlawfully [operate/use] an off-road vehicle on property knowingly owned and leased by the State of Maryland and any political subdivision. Operation Off-Road Vehicle On Public/Private Property
CR 6-404(b)
MISDEMEANOR
$500.00 - 90 DAYS
*2_2240* **OFF-ROAD VEHICLE ON PROPERTY**
… did unlawfully [operate/use] an off-road vehicle, on an area of private property that was not a clearly designated driveway without having in [his/her] possession, the written consent of, the [owner/tenant] of the property.
Finally, these operators are in violation of the Town Code Chapter 74-1
§ 74-1Use and operation restrictions.
[Amended 10-7-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-20; 7-11-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-11]
A. No person shall operate a motorcycle, moped, motor scooter, scooter (including, but not limited to, a vehicle known commonly as a "trail bike," "minibike," "dirt bike" or "all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile, or other similar vehicle or motor vehicle within the corporate limits of the Town or on Town property except upon public highways to the extent permitted by state law.
§ 74-2Violations and penalties.
Violation of this chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor, the amount of the fine shall be $250 for a first offense and $500 for each repeat offense. And upon conviction, the Town shall be entitled to obtain a cease-and-desist or injunctive order from any court of competent jurisdiction to prevent such conduct by the violator in the future and to recover damages from the violator for any injury to Town property occurring as a result of such violation.
The Mount Airy Police Department is limited in their ability to pursue these vehicles when observed. The operators know this and flee when we arrive. We need your help. Many times, these subjects live in our neighborhoods and are known by many of our residents. If you see them record their behavior and provide it to us with their names and assist us by being a witness, should we need you in court. It will only be by working together that we will be able to address these violations.
By reporting these types of activities to the Mount Airy Police Department via their non-emergency dispatch number at 410-386-2860, citizens can make their communities safer and more secure!