This spring's proliferation of ATVs and motorbikes in Franklin Park is not only a nuisance for the neighbors, it is also disrupting the animals at the Franklin Park Zoo.
"We have struggled with all the noise and, in particular, been greatly concerned for our animals," said John Linehan, President and CEO of Zoo New England, at a on-line community meeting Wednesday. "We've taken some mitigating efforts when we can, but it's really not very effective," he said.
Local and state officials led by Boston City Council President Matt O'Malley gathered to discuss solutions to the explosion of motorized vehicles and loud parties in the park. The conversation came as the city is looking at nearly $30 million in upgrades to the park.
"We know what a wonderful place (Franklin Park) is, we don't need to dwell on that, but we also know there are some real issues going on and we want to address them," O'Malley said.
Police officials at the meeting pointed out that they have worked on enforcing the law around the use of ATVs and dirt bikes at the park as well as vehicles playing loud music late at night, but they also have a no-chase policy meant to decrease the risk of collisions or accidents.
Lieutenant Richard Driscoll with the Boston Police Department said one of the best solutions would be environmental changes at the park like new gates and other vehicle deterrents, especially when major incidents occur.
"And that's why putting environmental and engineering changes are really, really our best bet because they're a permanent fixture and they don't have to respond to a critical incident or something else that just takes our officers off the board and just takes our resources, you know?" he said.
Solutions discussed at the meeting ranged from looking into creating a designated space for ATV and dirt bike riders to increased speed enforcement.
The reception from members of the community who watched the livestream of the meeting on Facebook was mixed, with some calling for stricter enforcement of people riding off-road vehicles illegally while others called for officials to reach out to the people and groups riding them to get them involved in the conversation.
Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins tried to find a balance to the various issues at play when discussing a proposed ticketing solution.
"The last time that I was in Dorchester it was for a double homicide for domestic violence," she said. "So I understand we are dealing with noise complaints and issues like that, I want to make sure that we are appropriately thinking about some of these traffic infractions."
