Up to speed on dirt bike troubles?

From: Gregory P. Kane, Disgruntled Citizen Menaced by Dirt Bike-Riding Scofflaws Re: Dirt bike-riding scofflaws D ear Mayor Sheila Dixon and Gov.

[Source 2]

I couldnt have said it better my self. just who is going to protect the law abiding citizens of this state? the police do their best but are restricted by the government. since when is it right to let people who do not follow the rules run the government? these guys that ride around on the streets on illeagal motorcycles drive wherever and however they want with total disreguard for any and all laws, however, the police are not allowed to pursue them. and when they do get caught, nothing happens. when you or i are driving legally, when we brake a law, we are punished. it is a known fact that a great majority of these bikes are stolen and that they are used to transport drugs and guns throughout the city. they are used because they get away with it. the police arent allowed to do anything to stop them, and the government wont stop them. one more question. when one of these bikes causes an accident, who is responsible? they dont have insurance, they dont have a lisence, and they dont care. we need to stop worrying about hurting peoples feelings and do whats right and fix this.

[Kidd]

The fix to this is to build a track or multiple tracks where these kids can go ride. The fact is that not all of these kids are criminals. I rode dirtbikes when I was younger and now that I am an adult, I ride motorcycles. The reason police can't chase them is that years ago when they could, kids were getting killed and it simply is not worth it for a juvenile arrest. Who knows, if we as adults support their talent, which they obviously have, some of them may end up like Mike Metzger, or Travis Pastrana or James "Bubba" Stewart or one of the many others that have been able to make a living out of riding dirtbikes. We as adults need to step up to the plate and help these kids out instead of always complaining and condemning them. That's why they do the things they do because we are so negative towards them. Giving them a place to go where they can constructively develop that talent would get them off of the streets and give the city another success story. Problem solved.

[Zaluchi]

Kidd wrote:

...would get them off of the streets and give the city another success story. Problem solved.

Please refresh my memory. What was the first success story? ;)

[Kelli]

Why should taxpayers pay to build a track? If they don't have a place to ride, don't ride!

[Andy]

Dirt bikes on the street. One day on the street, on Caton Ave heading towards Wilkens, there were a group of over 20 dirt bikes all ganged together on the street in and out of traffic. It is hard to believe there were no police around as they were going in and out of traffic and nothing could be done about it. It sure was a scary situation. They were looking for trouble, I turned left on Joh just to get out of there. Safety was my concern, not for them but for myself.
I cant understand why the City does not do more to keep them off the streets.

[Broke Taxpayer]

The best dam article I've read in this rag for years!

Mr. Kane, I agree 100%, thanks for this column, but don't hold your breath. A 'right to carry' in this nanny state will not be happening...

[KisseyKelsey]

Right on Gregory! Dirt bikes should be confiscated and destroyed. I agree with the right to carry arms. The law abiding citizen has no protection against thugs and criminals. Police offer no protection unless they are standing right beside you.

[Bmorecareful]

man the comment that said give them a place to ride is the best idea I heard build the tracks for them to ride using seized drug profits and assets make the laws tougher on those who dont use the tracks make selling a dirt bike the same as buying a car owner must register with mva & go after the owner if the bike is used illegally you can fine them which the money from that can be used to maintain the track and the youths you do catch can serve time as community service cleaning up this rat infested city or maintaing the track that they are suppose to use the goverment has to be full of the biggest dumb asses in the world from the president of the us all the way down to the city council president they all act like they are stupid or somethin all the education they have and the still dont know nothing about nothin

[john az]

what a bunch of cry babies...... what's that matter, entitlement taken away?......

[Vertically challenged]

I was the victim of an attempted sexual assault--I was saved by two men who heard my screams as the much larger and stronger perpetrator tore off my clothes, subduing me with brute strength.
But I don't qualify to even apply for a license to carry to defend myself in this growing nest of thugs.
Where are my rights?

[Vertically challenged]

john az wrote:

what a bunch of cry babies...... what's that matter, entitlement taken away?......

Read your Constitution and Bill of Rights. You come to Maryland and live among the drug lords and MS-13 gangsters who don't give a rat's butt what the law says, and see how long it takes before you "cry" for your "entitlement."

[Vertically challenged]

Kidd wrote:

The fix to this is to build a track or multiple tracks where these kids can go ride....get them off of the streets and give the city another success story. Problem solved.

This isn't just about motorbikes or bike paths. Gangs of young men on foot walk in front of lone motorists' cars, forcing them to stop, staring them down, sometimes car-jacking them. We have a growing gang problem in Maryland, especially since other states, including yours, have been running off foreign gangs and they've been showing up here in droves.

I was in a car when a gang of strange young men came running at the car with 2 by 4's raised once on a foggy morning when I was driving to work, and I did peel out and called the cops, but they were long gone when the cops arrived. Thank God I didn't walk to the bus that morning.

[Margie]

Now, now. We're supposed to "dialogue" and "understand" the little darlings and how it's not there fault, but ours that they are hooligans. The police can't do anything because they poor wittle babies might get hurted. Boo hoo. Or then the police are racist.

God forbid anyone in this toilet of a city be allowed to defend themselves. You should lay there and take your beating/murder/rape and then give the little darlings and their parents hugs and say you understand. That's "justice" in Baltimore.

[Carla]

Mr. Kane,
I respect you for your direct questions to the mayor and governor. Unfortunately, I don't believe you will get an answer from either. They have the very protection you are requesting. Everything has been taken over by thugs, from the streets, to the schools, to our government, and we are told to leave our protection to chance or we will be prosecuted. Our government has failed us miserably and I have no respect any of them. I now consider it a sad joke to even go to the voting polls (even though I continue to exercise my "right" as a good citizen).

[John]

Perhaps the greatest piece to have graced the Baltimore Sun in years.

Is it not understandable why Maryland and Baltimore rank as they do for dangerous places to live?

While O'Malley and Sen. Frosh enjoy their kickbacks for protecting questionable auto-inspections and law firms, the citizens of Baltimore and the State of Maryland must continue to endure the spread of crime and be forced to accept criminals and criminal activity in their communities.

[tired]

Kidd- "it simply is not worth it for a juvenile arrest."
A lot of good comments in this post so far. Kidd, I agree that this is the reason arrests aren't made, but I don't agree with it. These "juveniles" are not committing juvenile crimes.
Lets all watch carefully the case in July before the Supreme Court as the 2nd amendment is defined and the right to carry becomes a national right.
Why do we even have to debate about my right to protect myself?

[Karl C]

It is simple enough. O'Malley and Dixon protect these criminal youth because they are part of their party's strong voting block! Why wouldn't criminals and ex-felons vote for people who make it easy for them? They sure as hell aren't going to vote for leaders who call for their permanent incarceration or execution!

[alan]

Kidd....are you kidding?
"Giving them a place to go where they can constructively develop that talent would get them off of the streets and give the city another success story"
----------
maybe we could also build a gun range next to the track so they could also develope their "other hobbies". One stop training, it makes as much sense as your suggestion. When you were riding dirt bikes as a kid, were you riding it commiting crimes, raising hell, using it to flee a crime scene? I think you seriuosly miss the point of the story. It's not about riding dirt bikes, it's about being able to protect one's self in this toilet called Baltimore against the thugs, who are getting younger everyday. They're getting younger because they have come to understand that nothing will happen to them in this city. We only lock up those who attempt to defend themselves against the thugs, who suddenly turn back into "children" when arrested.
By the way Kidd, you live in a state that allows concealed carry, all we're asking for is the same.
Come spend some time in B'more and get to know the "children" here. I'll put up the room and board. Are you coming?

[Woodchuck312]

I agree 100% with Mr. Kane.
If The Gov and Mayor do not do something about these issues. Many more of us will be moving out of Maryland and taking our precious tax dollars with us.

This State and City worries more about the rights of criminals and thugs than it does its law abiding tax paying citizens.

Give us the right to defend ourselves if you can not and will not do it for us!!!!!

[KGM]

Brilliant commentary and letter to our distinguished do nothing dimwitted mayor and gover - not. It brought to mind the 7yr old that was arrested for riding an illegal dirtbike and the police officers got in trouble. I too get so disgusted with driving through the city and there is nothing done about this. This is just one of the many reasons I moved out of the cess pool called Baltimore City after living there for many many years.