As part of crackdown, Baltimore gives a dirt bike rider prison time
Misuse of dirt bikes “an unacceptable intrusion on the quality of life,” Commissioner Batts says.
Above: Baltimore dirt bikers, from the “12 O’Clock Boys” trailer.
Taking aim at a tradition recently featured in an award-winning documentary but condemned by many residents as a nuisance, city officials announced yesterday that a Baltimore man has been convicted and will serve prison time for illegally operating a dirt bike on a city street.
Lawrence Lawson, 20, of the 2600 block of Jefferson St., was sentenced this week to 90 days of incarceration for an April incident in which he was seen riding a dirt bike southbound in the 2800 block of Harford Road. He also received 18 months of probation.
“The operation of dirt bikes on our streets is illegal, a serious threat to the public’s safety, and a menace to our neighbors and neighborhoods,” State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein said, in a release emailed to the media.
Two Violations on Harford Road
According to the narrative released by his office, on Jan. 13, 2013, a police officer saw Lawson get off a dirt bike at a gas station in the 6800 block of Harford Road and get fuel.
Maj. Johnny Delgado last April, announcing the Baltimore Police initiative to encourage reporting of illegal dirt bikes. (Photo by Fern Shen)
“The officer arrested Lawson for the violation. The bike, which had no headlight or license plate, was towed,” the release said.
Then on April 7, three months later, Lawson was again seen riding a dirt bike, this time in the 2800 block of Harford Road, heading south.
According to the release, “When Lawson saw a marked police vehicle behind him headed in the same direction, he darted onto a nearby sidewalk, presumably to flee. However he lost control, fell off and was taken into custody.”
For the January incident, Lawson received a sentence of 90 days (with all but the two days of time served suspended) and 18 months of supervised probation.
For the April arrest, the sentence is 90 days incarceration, the maximum allowable for this violation.
Intrusion on the Quality of Life?
A recent documentary on dirt bike riding culture in Baltimore (that has won film festival awards and was the hot ticket at this year’s Maryland Film Festival) called new attention to the city’s dirt bikers.
The Guardian newspaper of London said Lotfy Nathan’s 12 O’Clock Boys “illuminates Baltimore’s social divisions” and called it “the documentary for those suffering ‘The Wire’ withdrawal.”
But in April, city police announced a city-wide enforcement effort on the dirt-bike riders, who often blast at high speeds in large groups over residential streets and sidewalks.
“Innocent people are hurt by these things,” said Lt. Craig Hartman, commander of the Regional Auto Theft Task Force, at the press conference announcing the initiative.
Yesterday’s announcement of Lawson’s conviction included a comment from Police Commissioner Anthony Batts applauding the state’s attorney’s office and vowing to continue the effort.
The misuse of dirt bikes “is a public nuisance and an unacceptable intrusion on the quality of life in the City of Baltimore,” Batts said, and encouraged citizens to continue to use the anonymous tip-line email police have established: dirtbikes@baltimorepolice.org