Video: Dirt bikes take over Cleveland streets, tear up park

CLEVELAND (WJW) – Video released to the FOX 8 I-Team shows more dirt bike riders taking over the street, trying to terrorize police and tearing up a city park.

So, we went back to police with a question many of you ask every time packs of dirt bikes cause trouble.

Sunday evening, security cameras captured a group of dirt bike riders rolling on Cleveland’s west side.

“Caller states that there were about 15 to 20 dirt bikes. Males with masks and had guns,” Cleveland police dispatch announced to officers.

Police found the riders blocking traffic, tearing up a field at Halloran Park and surrounding police cars.

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“Gonna need more cars at our location,” an officer radioed.

“Dirt bikes and ATV’s, and they’re surrounding a couple of the District 1 zone cars at West 117 and Lorain,” dispatch said.

“Dirt bikes are tearing up the park right now,” another officer said.

Sherrie Harris, who brings kids to Halloran Park, called it disgusting.

“Terrible. Just ridiculous. This playground is for the kids to run around and have a good time,” she said.

For years, many of you have been frustrated. Cleveland police policy restricts when officers can chase dirt bike riders. Most do not get arrested. Most do not get tickets.

It has been no different this time.

Also, consider what we noticed in police notes from the incident. A patrol car was reported to be not chasing the dirt bikes. Instead, just following to make sure traffic slows down. Another note said, “if one stalls out and breaks down, grab them (the rider).”

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So, we went to police with a question we’ve asked before.

“A lot of people see these dirt bikes and they’ll say, ‘why don’t they go get them?’” we asked Sgt. Freddy Diaz.

“Yeah so it’s like anything else, Ed, our officers have to enforce traffic responsibly,” Sgt. Diaz said.
He added that officers have a lot to consider before chasing a dirt bike.

“There’s a variety of checklists, check boxes that officers have to take into account. You know, the seriousness of the crime. It’s not as simple as just go get them. We have to keep in consideration the safety of our community,” he said.

This time, police did arrest one person for stolen property and more.

Overall, the riders damaged a park, tied up traffic, tried to intimidate police and then, they left.

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