Dirtbikes Harass Pleasantville Police

Pleasantville Police Department

 

Tonight, one of our police cars was surrounded by dirtbikes while the officers inside attempted to respond to a call from a resident. The dirtbikes were inches from the police car and attempted to provoke the officers by swarming and swerving at the patrol car while video recording the incident and while neighbors looked on.
Friends, I'm angry. Tonight our officers, and the young riders, were in real danger. The officers are directed not to engage these riders to avoid senseless tragedy and so the riders make increasingly aggressive actions toward them in an effort to provoke them into chasing them. How far is too far? How much is too much? What happens when one of these riders falls and is run over by our police car? Or hits a child playing in the street?
Tonight, and other nights just like this, parents and neighbors are allowing this to continue and endanger the public, the riders, and our hard working and dedicated officers. Tragedy for an officer, a young and reckless rider, and our community is sure to follow this reckless behavior if those of you who can help don't step forward.
You deserve to be protected by our officers. And our officers deserve your respect and assistance. This nonsense is going to end a life and I will not let it happen without speaking out. Stop your kids and friends from engaging in these aggressive attempts to provoke police. Stop allowing these riders to endanger everyone around them for their amusement.
Call and tell us who these riders are and where these bikes are kept and we can resolve this as a traffic problem before it becomes something much worse. The men and women of the Pleasantville Police Department are committed to your safety and I think its only fair that the community show some concern for their safety as well.
Be safe friends, we will be here when you need us. After all, we are all in this together.
~Chief Sean Riggin   

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