Jefferson City Council adopts restrictions for minibikes, street takeovers
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Jefferson City Council on Monday passed two proposed ordinances to crack down on illegal street takeovers and the use of minibikes on public roads.
However, the council voted to amend the street takeover ordinance before it was unanimously approved.
Under the new ordinance, activities such as burnouts, "donuts," drag racing, drifting, wheelies, and racing on public streets and parking lots would be prohibited. The ordinance would also make it unlawful to participate in a street takeover event.
'It becomes dangerous for our citizens. I live out on the west side, so I hear them all night long,” Jefferson City Mayor Ron Fitzwater told ABC 17 News. “We're in summer weather, and it's nice at night. It's staying light a lot longer, and it's just become a nuisance to our citizens. So on the public safety side, we've got to take action.”
The ordinance defines a street takeover as “the act of disrupting the regular flow of traffic for the purposes of performing, facilitating, or spectating stunt driving.” Stunt driving is defined as operating “a motor vehicle performing a race, a drag race, a burnout, a donut, a wheelie, or drifting.”
As part of the amendment, the city would broaden language in the ordinance by deleting the line: “Except as otherwise permitted by law, no person shall perform stunt driving in connection with a street takeover…”
And replacing it with: “Except as otherwise permitted by law, no person shall: Perform stunt driving.”
Violations would carry minimum fines of $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second offense, and $400 for a third or subsequent offense, along with additional penalties for repeat offenders. However, the ordinance would not apply to sanctioned events approved by the city or property owners.
According to the Jefferson City Police Department, some of the activity has involved car "clubs" traveling into Jefferson City from outside the area. Officials also noted the ordinance would extend to parking lots because of concerns about vehicles losing control in crowded areas.
The council also voted 8-1 in favor of prohibiting certain two-wheeled motorized vehicles, or minibikes, from operating on city streets. The lone no vote came from Ward 5 Councilwoman Mackenzie Job.
The ordinance defines minibikes as vehicles not registered for street use, including dirt bikes, pocket bikes, pit bikes, trail bikes and mini motorcycles.
Under the proposal, first-time offenders would face a minimum $75 fine, while subsequent violations would carry a minimum $150 fine. Police would also be authorized to tow or remove minibikes found operating illegally on public streets.
City officials said they have received complaints about minibikes from residents in every ward.
“It just seemed like it's getting worse and worse. I think the chief and the police department had tried to be cooperative and tried to look at ways to minimize it, but it just continues to grow,” Fitzwater said when asked about minibike use.
Fitzwater signed both ordinances on Monday night. However, City Administrator Brian Crane said that it will “probably take a few days to be processed through the department.” Fitzwater also added that the city will need a “little bit of time” to educate the police department on how the ordinances will be enforced.
“It'll take us a little while to get our police department educated,” Fitzwater said. “It's tough sometimes to distinguish between those that are going to comply with, or fall under the guidelines, and e-bikes and other things that really fall outside the scope of it.”
