PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) -- With warmer weather in Philadelphia can come illegal car, ATV and dirt bike activity around the city. Some neighbors in the vicinity of the Philadelphia Museum of Art are renewing their outrage.
They say racers are attracting large crowds, and are driving dangerously near Spring Garden.
District Attorney Larry Krasner says his office works closely with the Philadelphia Police Department on the issue, but it's difficult to clamp down on people driving ATVs and dirt bikes.
"The police deserve a little bit of consideration here," he said.
While officers can help with dispersing riders out of a crowded area, a chase is initiated only if they suspect the person is involved in a felony.
"There have been a lot of fatalities related to drag racing. But there also has been some fatalities to police pursuing this type of activity. So we have to try to reduce the harm as much as possible, and we have to do it with all the tools that are available," Krasner said.
"Part of the problem is that police are in a very difficult spot. High-speed chases are sometimes more dangerous to the public than the activity that is being pursued," Krasner said. "It is a standard part of police procedure all over the country and in Philadelphia that you don't just engage in high-speed chases or blocking roads in ways that could result in, you know, mom pushing the baby carriage, getting run over."
ATVs and dirt bikes are illegal in Philadelphia, with or without registration.
Officers can confiscate the vehicles if they're found parked or stored somewhere, but sometimes they need help from community members reporting them to the police tip line.
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