Police Reports

Stolen Dirt Bike Illegally Ridden on Trail, Police Say

Hellertown Police are seeking the public's help in identifying three males they say illegally rode dirt bikes on the Saucon Rail Trail in the borough.

Hellertown Police want help from the public in identifying three males they say rode dirt bikes illegally on the Saucon Rail Trail in the borough Wednesday. In a news release, police said they were called to the trail in the area of Water Street Park at about 7 p.m. for "a reckless driver report." Officers subsequently "located three Hispanic males, one riding what appeared to be a 125CC red Honda dirt bike, with a tall, skinny build, one riding what appeared to be a 50CC red Honda dirt bike, with a medium build, and one riding a blue 50CC dirt bike with a medium build," police said. Although the three riders fled from police, the blue dirt bike was abandoned and was later found to have been stolen, police added. In addition to the illegal…

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Letters to the Editor

Why Don't Residents Get Involved? [LETTER]

Hellertown resident Lee Weidner says he thinks some local residents "look the other way" when they see something bad happening in Hellertown.

To the editor: I do not wish to be the friend of lawbreakers, such as those who deface public property, spew litter all over, distribute illegal drugs, distribute illegal gaming machines, ignore speed limits and stop signs, those who rape and pillage, who steal and maim, who bully others without restraint and concern for others. I refuse to look the other way when feral cat colonies are fed by the stupid or those who race dirt bikes illegally or prey upon the helpless. Maybe some folks, a majority, do not want to get involved for fear of retribution. I choose not to live in fear. So last Friday, I chased a dirt bike out of Thomas Iron woods, knocked 20 dog poops off walking areas, most along the Water Street Park split rail fence (16 of 20…

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Letters to the Editor

Letter: Rail Trail Sign Torn Down

Resident Lee Weidner says a sign that prohibits ATVs and dirt bikes on the Saucon Rail Trail in Hellertown was torn down, but has been rehung.

To the editor: Gee, whiz, guess what I found discarded in the woods below Blinderman's of Hellertown? Lying there innocently lay a red and white sign posted by the Borough of Hellertown previously. Once upon a time, a few years ago, the wooded areas nearby were to be sold to a notorious developer by certain borough officials. They, however, were thwarted by the citizenry who wished the woodland not to be sold and ruined. Recently, citizens have had the pleasure of a beautiful walking and biking trail, only to be unlawfully invaded by ignorant dirt bikes with motors and ATVs. Well, it really was the riders who are ignorant, not the loud, speeding vehicles with no mind of their own. Certain Neanderthal interlopers always try to ruin a good …

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Rocks to Help Deter Rail Trail Scofflaws, Chief Says

Hellertown Police Chief Robert Shupp told Borough Council Oct. 15 that rocks have been installed at the Saucon Rail Trail's north end, to block access for ATV and dirt bike-riders.

An effort is being made to restrict rail trail access for dirt bike and ATV-riders, Hellertown Police Chief Robert Shupp told Borough Council Oct. 15. Shupp said rocks have been placed at the north end of the trail "at the Hellertown and Bethlehem line," where the path narrows considerably. Pedestrians will be able to bypass the rocks, "but you couldn't get a four-wheeler through (the barricade)," he said. The action was taken in response to complaints about people riding dirt bikes and ATVs on the trail, where motorized vehicles are prohibited. "We're hoping that'll stop it," the chief told council. Shupp said that if the barricade of boulders doesn't prevent riders from speeding up and down the trail, it might be an indication that they …

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Letters to the Editor

Letter: Citizens Must Step Up to Help Keep Trail Safe

Hellertown resident Lee Weidner says the public's help is needed to apprehend the people who continue to illegally ride motorized dirt bikes and ATVs on the Saucon Rail Trail.

To the Editor: As a public safety concern, walkers and bike riders on the northern end of Hellertown's portion of Saucon Rails to Trails, beware of speeding motorized dirt bikes and ATVs. During the last several months, there have been many close calls of adults, children and dogs nearly run over by unconcerned law breakers reaching speeds of 40mph on both the new trail and the old trail leading to the Cinderbanks. Anyone who observes or hears these vehicles should immediately phone the Northampton County non-emergency dispatcher at 610-759-2200 to request Hellertown Police assistance. Hellertown Police Chief Robert Shupp has been working hard to apprehend offenders of the law in this area. Citizens' help is needed to quickly notify the …

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Resident Says ATVs, Dirt Bikers Tearing Up Trail

Hellertown resident Lee Weidner told Borough Council Sept. 17 that "intruders" on dirt bikes and ATVs are damaging Hellertown's section of the Saucon Rail Trail.

Several "intruders" are damaging parts of the Saucon Rail Trail and harassing law-abiding pedestrians and bicyclists by riding dirt bikes and ATVs in violation of posted signs, Hellertown resident Lee Weidner told Borough Council Sept. 17. The use of motorized vehicles is forbidden on the trail, which has become a popular recreational area since its May 2011 opening. Weidner, who is a frequent trail-hiker, said the problems are occurring between Thomas Avenue and the trail's northern terminus at Bachman Street. In one recent instance, Weidner said a woman who was pushing a baby stroller near that part of the trail "was almost run over" by a juvenile on a dirt bike. Calling the current situation "a clear case of public safety," he said he's…

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Hugh Gallagher

4:13 pm on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

3 generations of my family used the rail trail area for decades ( before it was the Rail Trail). We fished, swam , rafted, picked wild mushrooms, ran dogs + dirtbikes . We did it with enough common sense and consideration for others that it was never an issue. I used to get visitors who used the train and I would pick them up at the old train station. We are thankful the trail now but it was …   more ›