Council tables ATV ordinance

BY JORDAN COHEN

news@vindy.com

NILES

In a surprising move, city council, which appeared ready and anxious to impose harsher penalties on riders of all-terrain vehicles who violate traffic and noise laws, voted unanimously Wednesday to table the revised ordinance indefinitely.

The ordinance, which had been moved to second reading earlier this month, contains increased fines and jail terms for repeated violations along with permanent confiscation of the vehicle with the third offense. ATVs are prohibited from riding on city streets, but police say most of the riders flagrantly violate the existing ordinance.

One of the worst incidents occurred May 4 when an ATV rammed a police cruiser. The driver was able to escape into the woods where police cannot pursue under orders from Chief Bruce Simeone, who considers such chases to be too dangerous.

Before the vote, a long-time Niles resident addressed council in opposition to the ordinance, the first time anyone has defended use of the ATVs. Rudy Gallucci, James Street, told council he owns an ATV and has occasionally driven it on the street.

“I plow driveways for no charge with it, and now you’re going to confiscate my ATV for helping people?” Gallucci, 54, asked council. Gallucci said he believes many of the violators are from outside Niles.