Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Massachusetts

Suing Local Police for Failure to Enforce Law

My neighborhood is being victimized by teenagers ridind

''dirt-bikes'' and ''four-wheelers'' on our streets, en route to a privately owned area where they ride trails. Besides the noise ordinances they violate, the vehicles are clearly not street-legal,since they don't have headlights, di-rectional signals, or license plates.

My local police have expressed indifference to complaints

from my neighbors and me. They say that in spite of the fact that they know who the perpetrators are, unless they catch them in the act, they can't stop them. If the police were to provide presence in the neighborhood, the problem would end quickly, but so far, they have refused to commit the officers.

Can I sue the police department to compell them to enforce the pertinent laws?


Asked on 7/15/03, 7:58 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Nance Lyons Law Office of Nance Lyons

Re: Suing Local Police for Failure to Enforce Law

I have the same problem. If City, call city councilor; if town, call selectmen. Ask support for ordinance to ban these vehicles. The squeaky door gets oiled.

Read more
Answered on 7/16/03, 5:30 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More General Civil Litigation questions and answers in Massachusetts