4 Arrested As SF Police Cracks Down On Dirtbikes, ATVs

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Police say they've arrested four people and seized several dirtbikes during an operation aimed at cracking down on "dangerous" stunt driving and other illegal activity in San Francisco.

The operation took place on Sunday, in which officers from several San Francisco Police Department units used automated license plate readers, drones and surveillance cameras to target people on illegal dirtbikes and other vehicles, authorities said.

During the enforcement operation, officers seized six dirtbikes, four of which were stolen from different cities, according to the San Francisco Police Department. An All-Terrain Vehicle was also taken in by the department.

Four people were taken into custody — two on suspicion of possession of stolen motorcycles and two on suspicion of driving without a license and registration, police said. The latter were cited, according to police, although it's not clear if they've since been released.

“Anyone who engages in this illegal activity in San Francisco will be held accountable,” Interim SFPD Chief Paul Yep said in a press release Monday. “Thanks to the hard-working members of the SFPD and the assistance of new technology, we can crack down on this behavior like never before.”

The San Francisco Police Department said in a statement Monday afternoon that the crackdown comes as they've seen a large increase in people driving around on dirtbikes, which are illegal to ride in California on public roadways.

On occasion, groups of riders will swarm Bay Area streets, sometimes riding recklessly on roadways, sidewalks and through pedestrian zones, police said.

In a statement on social media, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said people riding illegal dirtbikes had been terrorizing communities for several years, and it felt like "the city couldn't — or wouldn't — stop it."

"Now we are," Lurie said. "We have the technology, we have the officers, and we have a clear message: This dangerous behavior has no place in San Francisco."