NEW HAVEN, CT – Today, Mayor Justin Elicker applauded the passage of S.B. 1284, An Act Concerning Street Takeovers and the Illegal Use of Certain Vehicles, by the Connecticut State Senate.

The bill, which passed yesterday by an overwhelming vote of 35 to 1, would enable municipalities and the state to impose new and stiffer fines and penalties to individuals participating in, organizing, or spectating a street takeover and permit municipalities to destroy impounded dirt bikes and ATVS, among other measures. The legislation passed the State Senate and now must be voted on by the State House of Representatives.

Mayor Elicker and other city officials have helped champion this legislation and testified in support of the bill earlier this year. It also follows ongoing concerted efforts by the city – including the creation of a Joint Regional Bike and ATV Task Force Task Force – to address this critical public safety and quality of life issue.

Following the State Senate’s vote, Mayor Elicker issued the following statement:

“This is great news for New Haven and communities across Connecticut. Illegal dirt bikes, ATVs and street takeovers continue to wreak havoc on our communities. The legislation passed by the State Senate will give municipalities across the state more tools to hold people accountable, confiscate and destroy illegal vehicles, and fine people who flagrantly violate the law, all with the goal of ensuring our communities are safer. I want to thank the Judiciary Committee and State Senate leadership for their work to pass this bipartisan bill. We are optimistic that the State House of Representatives will follow suit and the governor will sign it into law.”