13-05-2025
Jackson County legislators to discuss penalties for off-road vehicles
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Serious crimes have been committed recently, when ATV drivers downtown aren't following the law.
Several Jackson County legislators are hoping to keep both residents and first responders safe while addressing the issue.
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An ordinance pertaining to this was on the agenda Monday for them to discuss, but not much was shared on it then.
At least two Jackson County legislators are hoping to enhance public safety and reduce traffic hazards by prohibiting off-road vehicles on specific streets.
Legislator Sean Smith says there are opportunities for stiffer consequences if they come from Jackson County.
'That affords us an opportunity to maybe pass something at the county level, but we also have to balance that with the idea that we have rural areas in the county, and we don't want to impede someone's normal use of something that's appropriate in rural areas, but we do have to figure that out legislatively,' Smith shared.
This comes off the heels of incidents, where people, including an officer, have been hurt.
Sean Smith is the sponsor of Ordinance 5984. The ordinance includes fines, jail time, mandatory impoundment and potential safety courses for violators.
'Police need some really serious tools to come down on, because it's easy for those vehicles to elude a normal police pursuit, so when you do grab them, you really need to bring the hammer down,' Smith said.
He's hoping to obtain for stiffer penalties, while making sure police and the county prosecutor have the tools they need to enforce violations of this kind of activity.
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Smith and legislator Manuel Abarca both have similar ordinances on the matter. Monday, neither were taken up for discussion.
Smith's has been moved to the anti-crime committee. It's likely the two ordinances will merge into one next week, Smith says.
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