SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — While illegal motorbike/ATV driving in Syracuse may sound far-fetched, it is becoming a serious issue. Not only does it keep neighbors awake, tear through parks, and destroy city property, but it can have a dangerous outcome.
Just last week, 20-year-old Dante Sloma was killed in an accident while driving an illegal motorbike. According to Syracuse Police, Sloma was riding his motorbike on South Salina Street when he was hit by a car making a left-hand turn onto West Fayette Street. He died the following day after being rushed to the hospital.
To honor Sloma, family and friends created a vigil near that intersection, driving their ATVs and motorbikes every night following his death. The media department at SPD released a statement about the incident.
“The recent increase in the reckless operation of dirt bikes and motor bikes occurring during memorial gatherings honoring Mr. Dante Sloma is deeply concerning. Such imprudent behavior creates substantial risk of another tragic outcome and can not be permitted,” said SPD press.
The Syracuse Police Department estimates that there are about 2-3 fatalities per year due to illegal ATV activity. According to Sgt. Thomas Blake, the motorbikes are the most frequent complaint to the department, next to fireworks.
What police are doing
To combat the increasing number of illegal dirt bikes, Sgt. Blake created SPD’s special ATV/dirt bike detail. Since introducing the detail about six years ago, officers have confiscated an average of 25 illegal vehicles per year.
In 2024 so far, the detail has taken 21 ATVs off the streets. Sgt. Blake notices the largest concentration of illegal ATVs on the city’s West side, though it is becoming an issue across Syracuse, even up by the university.
“Certainly in the summer months, I would say starting in about May and all the way up through October even is when we have the highest incidences of dirt bike or ATV operation,” he said.
The detail includes air support by drone and helicopter. By having eyes in the sky, officers can keep track of offenders while avoiding a chase and endangering the public. Sgt. Blake explained that oftentimes, offenders will ditch their vehicle when they realize they have been caught. With the drone, officers can quickly locate and confiscate the ATVs. He says the most important part of the detail is taking as many illegal vehicles off the streets as possible, even if they don’t always catch the driver.
The penalties
The Syracuse Common Council passed legislation in 2021 against the use of off-road vehicles, establishing new penalties. With the new law, the city could impound vehicles and require a $2,000 fee for owners to recover them. Sgt. Blake says the legislation has been a huge step in the right direction.
“We would take it and then they would get it back almost immediately. They would go down to the tow yard, recover it, and they'd be out there riding again. Now with this $2,000 redemption fee, we're not seeing the same dirt bike out there again,” he said.
The penalties increase as offenders continue to illegally operate their vehicle.
- First offense: $500 fine
- Second offense: $750 fine
- Subsequent offenses: Misdemeanor, up to one year in jail, $1,000 fine
Sgt. Blake believes the detail has been very successful in the past few years, but says there is always more that they can be doing.
“I think it still has a way to go yet. I mean, we're getting new challenges, and some of those challenges are a large group of riders. It's certainly hard to combat a situation when you have, say, a hundred riders that are riding all over the city,” he said.
To report any illegal dirt bikes or ATVs, SPD asks that you contact ATVTips@SyracusePolice.org or call 315-442-5200.