LETTER: Keeping ATVs off Jersey City streets will be a priority if I’m elected mayor

In a letter to the editor, Jersey City Council President Joyce Watterman says keeping ATVs and dirt bikes off city streets will be a priority if she is elected mayor.

Dear Editor,

Every summer, Jersey City faces a surge in illegal ATV and dirt bike activity that threatens the safety and peace of our neighborhoods.

As your Council President, I have seen firsthand how these vehicles, operated recklessly on our streets, endanger not only the riders themselves but also pedestrians, children, seniors, and families simply trying to enjoy our parks and sidewalks.

In the past year alone, our police have responded to countless ATV-related incidents—many of which could have easily ended in tragedy.

The roar of engines, the disregard for traffic laws, and the near-misses with cars and people are not just a nuisance—they are a public safety crisis.

The City has not stood by idly. We have taken decisive action by passing strong ordinances that ban ATVs and dirt bikes from city streets, empowering our police to seize and destroy these vehicles when used illegally.

We worked with state legislators to enact laws that prohibit gas stations from fueling unregistered ATVs and impose steep fines on storage facilities that harbor these vehicles.

These measures have made it harder for illegal riders to operate with impunity, and our enforcement efforts have increased significantly.

But enforcement alone will not solve this problem.

Too often, cities only take real action after a tragedy occurs. Jersey City is just one tragedy away from being forced into even more drastic measures. But I believe we do not need to wait for heartbreak to move us forward. We can and must act now.

If I am elected mayor, I will prioritize expanding community outreach and education programs to teach our youth about the dangers and consequences of illegal ATV riding.

I will also work to provide more positive opportunities and alternatives for young people, giving them safe and constructive outlets.

Additionally, I will collaborate with state and regional leaders to ensure consistent enforcement and stronger penalties across New Jersey.

Together, we can protect our streets and neighborhoods before tragedy strikes. We have the power to act now—united, proactive, and committed to building a safer, more vibrant Jersey City for all our families.

Let’s not wait for tragedy to force our hand. Let’s move forward, together, and create the safe community we all deserve.

Joyce Watterman,
President, Jersey City Municipal Council
Candidate, Mayor of the City of Jersey City