Videos show illegal dirt bike riders taunting DC police
D.C. police are continuing their investigation into the death of local reporter Charnice Milton. New surveillance video released has investigators searching for 14 persons of interest riding on dirt bikes in connection with this case.
But how big of a problem are these dirt bikes in the District? City policy instructs police can't chase these bikes.
Two-wheel dirt bikes and four-wheel all-terrain vehicles are illegal to drive in D.C. But the law does not seem to matter for many who ride these vehicles in the city.
Videos posted on social media show they drive right down the middle of the street, on sidewalks and through tunnels.
Milton was changing buses at the corner of Good Hope Road in Southeast D.C. last week when she was shot and killed. The newly-released video shows a total of 14 persons of interest riding on seven different vehicles -- all of them illegal.
Residents are questioning the police department's policy that says officers can't drive after these illegal bikes.
"You can't pursue them, they know they can't be pursued, and so you have created a space where mayhem happens," said D.C. resident Melik Abdul.
Sixth District police officers were able to catch one biker last week, but only because they did not have to use a car.
Police saw a dirt bike going 25 to 30 mph on a sidewalk in the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue in Northeast D.C. People were jumping out to get away from him, but they were able to arrest the biker because the officers were on mountain bikes.
Eric Dreher was charged with reckless driving, operating a prohibited non-traditional motor vehicle -- a Kawasaki dirt bike --and driving without a license.
But that is just one guy taken off the city's streets and sidewalks for these illegal bikes.
Dirt bike riders are all over Instagram with videos taunting cops, flying by police or deliberately going up to police on these illegal vehicles and recording it.
One video even shows a biker kicking a police cruiser.
After Milton's murder, D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier said she is going to come up with a new enforcement strategy.
"The idea that we're catering to something that is illegal … and to openly flaunt the law, the city needs to do something now," said Abdul.
But for now, the rank and file police are frustrated as dirt bikers are getting a free ride on D.C. streets and sidewalks.
If you have any information about the 14 persons of interest, D.C. police are asking you to contact them at 202-727-9099. There is a $25,000 reward being offered in this case.