Police officers arrested six all-terrain vehicle riders in Pawtucket two weeks ago for participating in a mass “ride-out”— an event where large groups of riders travel, often recklessly, in packs on public roads. Local residents expressed concern that such police activities misallocate the use of public resources and taxpayer dollars.
Roughly 100 riders took part in the so-called “ride-out” event near East Avenue in the Oak Hill neighborhood in Pawtucket, the city’s police department wrote in a press release. Riders disregarded traffic laws, blocked intersections and caused heavy congestion.
Five adults and one juvenile were arrested in the combined effort by Pawtucket and Providence Police Department. Each adult was charged with reckless driving, and one adult faced two additional charges for altering a vehicle identification number and resisting arrest.
At least four of the arrestees were released on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond last week. Details regarding the case of the arrested juvenile have not been released.
Both Providence and Pawtucket have ordinances that prohibit the use of off-road vehicles on city streets, and “riders operating these vehicles illegally on public streets are subject to enforcement,” wrote Anthony Vega, press secretary for the city of Providence, in an email to The Herald.
In this case, however, the arrests were made “after officers observed reckless operations that created immediate safety risks,” Vega wrote.
Several users voiced their concerns about the operation in the comment section of a social media post by local news source What’s Going On In Rhode Island. Some characterized the operation as a waste of taxpayer dollars and suggested that the city focus on ongoing infrastructure projects, which currently include the I-95 Washington Bridge that is in the process of being demolished and reconstructed.
“They don’t have better things to do (than) arrest dirt bike riders?” asked Pawtucket resident Brandon Thompson in the comment section of the post. In a separate message to The Herald, Thompson explained that he believes riders “should not be arrested … unless the vehicle is stolen or someone is hit.”
Vega explained that Pawtucket police were joined by the Providence Police Department’s Community Response Team to conduct the arrests. At the time of publication, he did not share additional information about the CRT’s budget. Vega later clarified that there is no separate line item for the CRT in the police department's budget.
The arrests occurred after the Pawtucket Police Department received information that the ride-out was planned for Aug. 30. The department’s Special Squad, which investigates criminal vice — or commercial — activities in Pawtucket, notified the CRT regarding their belief that the ride-out would “affect both jurisdictions,” wrote Pawtucket Detective Sergeant Mario Comella in a statement sent to The Herald.
Launched in 2023, the Providence Police CRT aims to combat the illegal use of ATVs and dirt bikes in Providence, The Herald previously reported.
In 2023, the CRT seized 63 illegal ATVs and dirt bikes over five weeks, according to Mayor Brett Smiley, a stark comparison to the 102 bikes seized over the course of three years under then-Mayor Jorge Elorza.
The CRT uses community tips, undercover work and video technology to “proactively … keep these illegal vehicles off the streets,” Vega wrote. The CRT has a tip line and an email address for individuals to report information anonymously about vehicles being driven or stored illegally.
The team has also used various measures, including publicly crushing and discarding seized vehicles and reminding residents of their illegality, to deter the unlawful use of dirt bikes and ATVs.
“Enforcement against illegal ATVs is a matter of public safety and quality-of-life,” Vega wrote. “Addressing them helps prevent accidents and injuries while ensuring those who live, work and visit the city feel safe on the streets.”
Correction: A previous version of this article misstated that Vega did not respond to an inquiry about social media comments made about the arrests. Vega responded to those remarks. The article has also been updated with additional information regarding the CRT's budget.
Lev Kotler-Berkowitz is a senior staff writer covering city and state politics. He is from the Boston area and is a junior concentrating in Political Science and Economics. In his free time, Lev can be found playing baseball or running around with his dog.
