Streator City Council hears complaints about speeding off-road vehicles

It’s not unusual for Streator residents to hear dirt bikes or other off-road vehicles buzzing through their neighborhoods at all hours, Streator council members said Tuesday.

The challenge is enforcing the city’s ordinance prohibiting dirt bikes or four wheelers, they said.

The question also was raised among council members during Tuesday’s meeting whether some vehicles, such as golf carts, all-terrain vehicles and/or utility terrain vehicles should be allowed with proper permitting, licensing and insurance.

Streator resident Toni Pettit shared a complaint during public comment Tuesday that she witnessed an off-road vehicle speeding by the Baldwin House, a guest house she operates at the corner of Park and Kent streets, across the street from the City Park. She said if her guests had arrived any earlier, it may have resulted in a crash and she fears that at the speeds these off-road travelers are moving across the town, they may end up injuring someone.

“ATVs are illegal on any city street, period,” Mayor Jimmie Lansford said.

Council member Brian Crouch said the challenge is for police to catch the perpetrators, who often wear helmets that hide their identity and travel at high speeds.

City Manager David Plyman suggested that police can enforce the illegal vehicles similar to how they were able to enforce speed limits near Streator High School or by the Eastwood Golf Course, by having a police officer monitor an area, or by using electronic speed monitoring signs.

The council’s conversation also included the possibility of adopting an ordinance that would make using some vehicles, such as golf carts or utility vehicles, lawful for residents who followed certain guidelines to have their vehicles permitted and insured.

Council member Tara Bedei said golf carts or utility vehicles are attractive to contractors who may be traveling just within a few blocks of a project, or neighbors who put a plow on the front of their vehicle to shovel snow.

“I was wondering if there’s a way for people who are responsible,” Bedei said.

Council member Ed Brozak said the individuals speeding on dirt bikes or four wheelers create a stigma for the other uses, which are practical.

The City Council explored the possibility within the past two years of adopting an ordinance allowing certain vehicles, Lansford said, but the council decided not to move forward then. Crouch said Tuesday he doesn’t believe anything has changed since then, saying the council should stick to prohibiting them.

City Attorney Sheryl Churney that said in her experience, smaller communities such as Ransom, Grand Ridge and Wenona have had success adopting ordinances allowing alternative vehicles, because they are small communities and can monitor the traffic flow. Larger communities would have more challenges, she said.

These vehicles would not be allowed on state highways, Churney said.

Bedei said the city of Pontiac, which has a population similar to Streator’s at 11,688, allows vehicles such as golf carts through a permitting process that makes sure residents are following the proper guidelines.

The council took no action on the matter, seemingly deciding to keep its current course, and proceeding to the next topic of Tuesday’s meeting.