HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — Hampton City Council adopted an ordinance that institutes a procedure to impound all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes that are ridden illegally on public streets.
The ordinance, which was approved on Wednesday night, is in retaliation to a rapid rise of reports on the reckless use of ATVs and off-road bikes on city streets over the past three years.
Under the new ordinance, the vehicles can be seized and impounded, followed by forfeiture proceedings. The forfeiture process involves a petition being served to the owner, who will have 30 days to reply. The response could lead to a hearing in Circuit Court, in which the city will have to meet the burden of proof that the vehicle was operated illegally.
Norfolk may be following suit. Senator Angelia Williams Graves wrote on her Facebook page, “Let’s go City of Norfolk Government! I fought hard to get the legislation passed in the General Assembly to make this happen.”
The council’s next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 13.