Local

Neighbors concerned over stunting motorcyclists

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A group of riders on dirt bikes and ATV's is creating quite a show on Beatties Ford Road and West Trade, even driving past the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Area business owners said it's a near-daily occurrence, and it's dangerous.

"Bunch of crazy people on motorcycles, four-wheelers just running up the street riding wheelies and everything." Perry Welch, a shop owner on West Trade, said.

Welch's dash camera was rolling when seven people rode by his shop on West Trade this week.

(Click PLAY to watch Welch's dash camera video)

The video shows some members of the group driving into oncoming lanes and performing stunts for more than a mile with no license plates and no police in sight.

“Somebody is going to get killed," Welch said.

The group headed west past Johnson C. Smith University to Beatties Ford Road, right past Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Metro Division.

Welch said they're here every two to three days each week and sometimes in packs of nearly 20 riders.

Shawn Connor, who works with Welch, has seen them as well.

"Cars just about hitting them. They don't have any regard for any kind of safety," Connor said.

Connor also said getting the police to catch them is a tall order.

"By the time we get anybody out here, they're already gone," he said.

CMPD is aware of groups like this.

Earlier this year, officers chased and caught three people on stolen dirt bikes in Northwest Charlotte, near the same area where the West Trade Street riders were spotted this week.

Many feel the group doesn't worry about getting caught.

"I haven't seen anyone even try. They go up and down this road. I've never seen an officer or anybody try to stop them," said Connor.

Channel 9 shared Welch's video with CMPD and officials said they are contacting the Metro Division.

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