‘ATV road terrorists’: Rep. Lima reintroduces legislation to criminalize illegal ATV riding

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A day after Providence Mayor Brett Smiley unveiled a new Community Response Team to curb illegal ATV riding, Rhode Island state Rep. Charlene Lima is reintroducing legislation that calls for mandatory jail for “ATV road terrorists.”

“I want to commend Mayor Smiley for his leadership in taking strong measures to stop ATV road terrorists in Providence,” said Lima, adding that Providence is taking a “no-nonsense approach to keeping our streets safe and secure for our citizens.”

The Democrat said she’s “sick and tired of these road terrorists who wreak havoc on our streets.”

Under her legislation, first time offenders will be sentenced to jail for 30 days and complete 150 hours of community service. For repeat offenders, they would be sentence to six months in jail and will have to do 250 hours of community service with no chance of a plea bargain.

The ATVs will be confiscated and sold or destroyed, Lima said.

“I am also sick and tired of prosecutors and judges who cater to criminal rights instead of the rights of the law-abiding citizens,” said Lima. “My legislation takes away the power of these prosecutors and judges and gives the power back to the victims of these crimes.”

Lima’s goal, she said, is to “make our street[s] safe once again.”