Motorcyclists on the Mountain

After hearing from many concerned members of the community, Donna has been working with the police, along with a bunch of other residents in our district and nearby communities, in hopes of slowing down some of the speeding, illegal racing, and illegal & aggressive behavior of the motorcyclist that we have been encountering over the past couple of years. Donna is aware that the issues have been going on for longer than 2 years but we can all agree that they have grown progressively worse and more aggressive over the past year or two.

Donna sent out a “thank you” to our Councilmembers, Frances Akridge and Bill Kling for their support and assistance with the police chief and community with regard to helping resolve some of these issues.

As most of you are aware, Frances Akridge, Huntsville City Council District 2, is retiring and our new City Councilmen elect, David Little, will take over in early November. Councilmember Akridge wanted to remind us to continue to be diligent and keep reporting all of these incidents to the police. Please feel free to reach out to our police captain and City Councilmen who are here to protect and serve our community. They want to help.

Below is the message Councilmember Akridge asked that I share with you:

“I can assure you the police don’t need any motivation to act, instead they need to hear from all of in order to plan and act. It’s up to each and everyone of us to communicate directly, accurately and expeditiously.

The speed enforcement is being handled in a traditional manner with recent extra effort prescribed by Deputy Chief Brooks through the special traffic unit. I’m not optimistic the speeding will change because the racers are in touch with each other all the time and it is against policy for police officers to chase them.

However:

The reports of harassment should be reported immediately to either south or north precinct. I’ve been told by some neighbors that a few people have experienced what they call harassment but they never called it in!! That goes against the perennial reminder that if we “see something to say something”.

I recommend obtaining a video camera for your car especially because the motorcyclists have video cameras. Yet I offer a reminder that in every instance, do not engage by tapping breaks yelling or any other such behavior. People who are renegades enjoy seeing that they are getting your goat. or as my mother taught me when I was a first year teacher: ignore the bad behavior and call it in.

The officers called CROs are aware of a report of the names of some of the motorcyclists —and they’ve been in direct contact with them eye to eye.

Every person can contact the precinct Captain or CRO and have a discussion about what they are doing to monitor. And this way we are assured that they are talking to one another.

Thank you for your warm regards related to my future role as your neighbor in our city.”

Frances Akridge
City Councilmember
256-427-5017