New York City officials destroyed over 200 illegal mopeds and scooters that police had seized from city streets. This action was part of a crackdown on these vehicles, which officials described as tools used by criminals to commit crimes against businesses and citizens in the city.
NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell, along with Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban, announced the increased enforcement efforts against illegal vehicles for the summer at the Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island. Chief Chell stated that illegal bikes are the city’s top quality of life issue and are used in many crimes. He called them a serious problem for the streets of New York City.
Chief Chell mentioned that 41,000 illegal mopeds and scooters have been seized in the past two years, with 13,000 seized since January 1. He also noted that the rate of seizures was on track to reach 30,000 by the end of 2024.
“These bikes are not only illegally registered,” Chief Chell said, referring to the bikes being flattened at the landfill, “but they are also used by criminals, including murderers, shooters, robbers, and reckless drivers, endangering the public.”
After the announcement, bulldozers were used to flatten the seized mopeds and scooters.
This action follows an incident where two NYPD officers were shot while chasing a suspect on an illegal scooter. The suspect, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela suspected of using the scooter in multiple crimes, was also shot during a foot pursuit. Fortunately, all involved survived.
While overall crime citywide has decreased, robbery and felony assault have increased by 6.3% and 5.1%, respectively, compared to the same time last year.