Waterford ― The police department has asked the town to draft laws similar to the ones in New London to help stop illegal dirt bike and ATV riders on the town’s streets.

“We’re looking at a regional approach to this unsafe action,” Chief Marc Balestracci told members of the Representative Town Meeting Monday night.

In a letter to the RTM in August, Balestracci requested the town review New London’s ordinance and consider drafting something similar for Waterford.

“In the State of Connecticut, including New London County, police departments have been challenged by the illegal operation of dirt bikes and ATVs on public roads. Often times, large groups of individuals coordinate efforts to illegally use public roadways with these vehicles, which create extremely dangerous and confusing situations,” Balestracci wrote in August.

On Monday, the RTM forwarded his request to the town’s Public Protection & Safety Standing Committee.

Balestracci said New London’s 2018 ordinance has pushed riders to cross into Waterford.

He said that if surrounding communities enact similar ordinances , it will help the problem.

Besides fining dirt bike and ATV riders up to $2,000 for violations, New London’s ordinance imposes a $100 fine on any gas station that allows dirt bikers to refuel. Only dirt bikes and ATVs that have been brought to the gas station via a registered motor vehicle can fill up their tanks.

Waterford’s ordinance would impose fines too, though Balestracci admitted there may be certain areas where the the two ordinances differ. He asked to work with whatever committee the RTM assigns to develop an ordinance.

Second-district RTM member Kevin Girard asked how police currently combat illegal dirt bike and ATV activity.

“If I’m being honest with you, most of them just don’t stop, and so we’re not allowed to chase them,” Balestracci said. “They just drive away and there’s not much we can do.”

If officers are able to stop the riders, he said, they will receive an infraction and be subject to a summons or arrest. The department also tries to identify riders through video surveillance, he said.

d.drainville@theday.com