Hamilton to use drone technology to help catch ATVs, dirt bikes creating havoc
Councillors describe incidents of damage to farmers' fields, ATVs 'ripping along'
Hamilton is expected to enforce its soon-to-be enacted bylaw to ban all-terrain vehicles from public roads and private property by using drone technology.
“They will be able to go over the property and see these ATVs,” said the city’s new director of licensing Monica Ciriello. “They will also take photos. No longer (will there be) one word against another.”
Ciriello said bylaw officers will try to educate homeowners and ATV users about the bylaw. But soon after, the city will “collaborate” with the Hamilton Police Service to enforce the bylaw. Police have jurisdiction on city roadways.
Councillors at their July 6 planning committee meeting described incidents of ATVs “ripping” along roadways in Waterdown, along the hydro corridor behind Summit Park in upper Stoney Creek and damaging farmers’ fields in Glanbrook.
Glanbrook Councillor Brenda Johnson said police have had a difficult time capturing operators of ATVs. Police did receive some funding from Enbridge Gas Inc. to purchase two ATVs to pursue the illegal operators, but it remains a difficult “cat and mouse” game, she said.
“You cannot catch these people in the back of a field sitting on the road,” said Johnson.
Flamborough Councillor Judi Partridge said dirt bikes and ATVs have been causing property damage on residential land and racing along the new bypass roadway that has yet to open. When bylaw and police officers arrive on the scene, she says, “they can’t find anybody.”
Partridge, who was “cautiously optimistic” about the bylaw, said “hundreds” of complaints have been filed about the problem.
“Ward 15 is way past education. Start bringing the hammer down. Education has been going on for five years now,” said Partridge. “I’m very frustrated. My residents are very frustrated.”
Johnson said ATV drivers have nearly been “clotheslined” by farmers’ hedgerows. The drivers then blame the farmer for not maintaining the bushes. She said one farmer had to defend himself after a person drove a snow machine into his irrigation pond during the winter. The driver complained the farmer didn’t properly identify the pond.
“I don’t think anyone would want an ATV running across the front of their property,” said Johnson. “So why would they assume the field behind their house is up for grabs?”
Stoney Creek Councillor Brad Clark said complaints from homeowners in the Summit Park development have been made about dirt bikes, ATVs and off-road pickup trucks tearing along the hydro corridor. Some people are reluctant to call the police and file a trespassing charge for fear of retribution from the perpetrators.
“I’m concerned that residents will start stopping (the drivers) on their own by confronting them,” he said. “It has just gotten crazy. (The bylaw) gives us the tool we need to deter and enforce this particular bylaw.”
Not only will the bylaw ban ATVs from public and private properties, but also snow machines, dirt bikes and off-road trucks. Operators of the vehicles will need written permission from property owners to avoid getting charged.
Ciriello said since 2018, the city has received four calls annually related to ATV complaints. But during the same period the Hamilton Police have received 250 calls per year for dirt bikes and ATVs. Most of the calls come from residents in Binbrook, Waterdown and Glanbrook.
Provincial legislation, introduced in 2020, allows municipalities to pass bylaws to prohibit ATVs and other vehicles on municipal roads under the Highway Traffic Act.
Councillors will be voting on the recommendation at their July 9 council meeting.
