VIDEO: Elorza Scrambles, Announces New ATV Strategy After Public Outrage

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza held yet another press conference. On Tuesday, he announced a new strategy on illegal ATVs just weeks after calling for illegal, unregistered ATVs and bikes to be legalized.

On February 25, Elorza said in a statement to GoLocal, “After several meetings with members of the dirt bike and ATV rider community, my public safety leaders and I decided to pursue state legislation that would resolve some of the challenges we are facing. As currently operated, ATV's and other illegal vehicles pose a danger to those who operate them as well as other drivers and residents.”

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“I am interested in exploring enabling legislation that would allow cities and towns to require owners who operate these vehicles to register them, purchase insurance, and make necessary modifications such as turn signals, side mirrors and mufflers to make them safer and quieter. All traffic laws and other regulations would of course still apply to these vehicles and those who drive them in our City,” Elorza added.

Now, after a public outrage to his legalization proposal, Elorza is scrambling.

On Tuesday, Elorza and Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins announced that the two cities would work cooperatively to address the ATV issue.

Reynaldo Almonte of Latino Public Radio —GoLocal’s media partner—asked Elorza about why he is changing policy yet again. Elorza refused to answer Almonte’s questions.

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