Residents frustrated after suspected juveniles on dirt bikes, ATVs swarm Federal Hill Park

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Residents near Federal Hill Park are frustrated after a disturbance that they and others described as involving juveniles, with dirt bikes and four-wheelers riding through the park Tuesday night despite signs prohibiting them.

Cellphone video shared with FOX45 News shows dirt bikes and four-wheelers circling the park.

Reece, a Federal Hill resident, said, “Fed Hill park is an awesome spot, especially when it’s not being run rampant with motorcycles.”

“Am I stoked at the noise? No,” he added.

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As night fell, residents said they had had enough. Police were called for what was described as a “Juvenile disturbance, 300 block of Warren…large group of juveniles riding scooters in the park, cars, three carloads of people. 15 juveniles, taking over the streets.” An officer made an announcement for the crowd to disperse.

Reece said the situation is not unique to Baltimore.

“I know a number of people have stories, and that is a bummer. But I think if you look anywhere, big city USA, these things are just going on,” he said.

“I’m not super surprised, but I think it is surprising that we can’t do a whole lot about it.”

The disturbance at Federal Hill Park came just days after Baltimore County police responded to a disturbance involving hundreds of juveniles at White Marsh Mall. County police arrested several teens in that incident, with charges ranging from disorderly conduct to assault and robbery.

Back at Federal Hill Park, residents also raised questions about how to hold juveniles accountable.

“If you don’t have adults in the room. Kids will be kids,” Reece said.

He added, “You probably write them a ticket, you put them in a cell for a night, and then you let them back out to go hang with the same friends. It’s a constant dilemma. I don’t have an answer for it. I think that’s for the people that we pay the taxes to figure out.”

There was no word of any arrests from Tuesday night’s incident at Federal Hill Park. Residents said there have been other recent calls to police about juvenile disturbances in the Federal Hill area, and they fear it will only get worse as summer gets closer.