On September 27th, 2016, City Council passed an action memorandum directing the Bethel Police Department to strictly enforce all laws concerning ATV's and other off-road vehicles.

Effective immediately officers will be issuing citations for all drivers observed violating the laws pertaining to ATV's and off-road vehicles on the roadway (this includes the shoulders of the road).

Citations include but are not limited to: Driving an off-road vehicle on the roadway, driving without registration, and driving without insurance. Additionally if the individual is driving on the roadway without a valid driver's license they will be issued a citation for that as well.

This new directive impacts many Bethel citizens and villagers who use ATV's and snowmachines for transportation and subsistence. The consequences of this decision are far reaching and people are already being cited. The police department is short staffed as it is and they do not have the time or recourses to be enforcing these violations. Additionally this decision discrimates upon an entire way of life in the rural communities that it impacts. 

Please sign this petition if you are in favor of urging the council to retract their directive and go back to the way things were or come up with a compromise to allow responsible users to utilize their vehicles on city roads.