Quad Impounded In Mastic After Rider Caught Driving Recklessly: Police

MASTIC, NY — A quad was impounded recently after the rider was caught driving recklessly on Eleanor Avenue in Mastic, Suffolk police said in a post to the 7th Precinct's Instagram page.

The behavior not only endangers the rider but also puts pedestrians and other drivers at serious risk, according to police.

"We all love a good thrill, but there’s a time and place for it — our streets are not one of them," the post continued. "Let’s work together to keep our community safe by reporting dangerous riding. Stay safe and look out for one another."

It is illegal to operate ATVs or dirt bikes on public property, or private property without the owner's permission.

The off-road vehicle's impound was one of the latest undertaken in the 7th Precinct.

In January, four dirt bikes were impounded as part of a crackdown in the 7th Precinct by Suffolk County's ATV Task Force, precinct officials announced in a post to Instagram.

Three were seized in Ridge, and a dirt bike at Rock Hill Golf Course in Wading River, were seized from juveniles on Jan. 11, and their parents were cited, according to police.

Precinct officials said that they receive "many complaints" from the community about off-road machines on roadways and trails "destroying property."

In 2022, after a rash of reports, including a road takeover and road rage incident, police announced a five-point plan to crackdown on the illegal use of all-terrain vehicles, as well as plans to enact a Crime Stoppers Fast Cash Reward for information leading to the impounding of an ATV or dirt bike.

In 2021, alone officers responded to about 3,300 calls of complaints.

Tips can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS, or by using a mobile app that can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips. Tips can also be submitted online at www.P3Tips.com.