Norwich ― The use of off-road vehicles on city streets could be banned soon if the City Council enacts a proposed ordinance that has been in the works since the spring.

The council will hold a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Council Chambers at City Hall on a proposed ordinance, “prohibiting the operation of all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes and mini motorcycles on city of Norwich property.”

The ordinance, patterned after those in place in Danbury and West Hartford, would allow police to seize unregistered vehicles if riders cannot prove ownership and to fine offenders.

Cities and towns across Connecticut, including New London, are dealing with increasing complaints about aggressive behavior by riders of unregistered off-road vehicles on city streets, at times doing stunts or intimidating drivers. Norwich has no ordinances to address the problem, Police Chief Patrick Daley said.

“I think the intent is to cause disruptions and to be intimidating,” Daley said last week.

Asked to pinpoint specific problem areas, Daley said, “they’re everywhere.”

Former Alderwoman Joanne Philbrick complained to the council in June about an incident she encountered on Central Avenue, when two dirt bikes blocked an intersection. She said at times, “30 or 40 of these marauding gangsters ascend on the streets. They’re up and down.”

The proposed ordinance, in the works since February, would ban the vehicles from any property owned, leased or controlled by the city, “specifically and especially on public streets, highways, recreation areas, sidewalks and in any public spaces, thereby preventing damage to flora and fauna and to hiking trials, stone walls, and other physical features of the city’s parks, public places and streets.”

The ordinance would mandate riders to stop if signaled by any law enforcement officer to stop, and would allow police to seize the ATV, dirt bike or mini motorcycle. If the person can not prove ownership of the ATV or dirt bike, the city would have authority to sell it at auction within 15 days, with proceeds going to the city’s general fund.

The proposed ordinance calls for a fine of $100 for the first offense, $250 for a second violation and $500 for a third or subsequent violations. The operator or owner also could be held liable for any damage to trees, shrubs, lawns, crops, fences or other property.

Alderwoman Tracey Burto, then a member of the council Public Safety Committee, first raised the issue in February, asking what the city could do to address the “gangs of reckless recreational vehicle drivers” on city streets, according to Feb. 8 committee meeting minutes. The committee asked Burto to work with Daley and city Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll to draft an ordinance.

Burto said this week she worked with Daley and Driscoll reviewing ordinances in cities and towns across the state. Some provisions, such as a ban on tractors on city streets, did not apply to Norwich. She said they tried to pick the most relevant language to use in Norwich’s ordinance.

“I think an ordinance needs to be put in place, because I think it’s dangerous that kids are riding their ATVs and dirt bikes,” Burto said. “I’ve seen a couple four-wheelers on Washington Street. They’re not well lit. They’re on busy streets, and I don’t want a kid to get hurt.”

Burto said she realizes some riders might use mini-motorcycles or scooter-type bikes to commute to work, but the safety issue needs to take precedence.

“I wouldn’t want to be that person driving down the street that hits one of these kids on a dirt bike or four-wheeler,” Burto said.

c.bessette@theday.com