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Source: frank jackson wzak z1079 / frank jackson wzak z1079

CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) –

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson wants to get illegal dirt bike and ATV riders off the streets.

During a press conference Tuesday, Jackson rolled out legislation that will enhance penalties for illegal riders, and give police better tools to deal with the problem. That has angered residents dealing with the noise and safety risk the riders pose.

During morning news conference that also included Police Chief Calvin Williams and local bike groups, the mayor said legislation could be introduced as early as next Monday night’s Cleveland City Council meeting.

The mayor’s own grandson was arrested for illegally riding his dirt bike along Martin Luther King Boulevard. The arrest occurred in 2016, but the video of the incident wasn’t turned over to Cleveland 19 until last month. Jackson’s grandson told Cleveland Police on body camera video in July he was running from them while illegally riding a dirt bike on city streets without a motorcycle license and instead he was charged with a misdemeanor for resisting arrest and several other dirt bike related charges.

Jackson said they are still working out details of the beefed up law. Williams said he will continue to instruct his officers not to engage in a chase of the bikers out of concern for the safety of the riders, the public and police.

During Monday night’s council meeting, Councilman Zack Reed called for public hearings on the issue and a dirt bike track who’s funding has already been approved by council.

When I asked the mayor about Reed’s rant, he said:

“He’s a political opponent. He’ll say anything. Whatever he thinks is to his advantage. Is the issue real? Yes, the issue is real. That’s what I’m doing what I’m doing.”

READ MORE: Cleveland19.com

Article Courtesy of WOIO Cleveland 19 News

First Picture Courtesy of Z107.9 WENZ-FM and 93.1 WZAK-FM Cleveland

Tweet and Second Picture Courtesy of Twitter and WOIO Cleveland 19 News

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