Boston police says they seized 9 more scooters

Crime

Tuesday’s operation was the latest in an ongoing safety initiative that police are calling “Operation Safe Scooter.”

By Darin Zullo

October 30, 2025 | 7:25 PM

3 minutes to read

The Boston Police Department carried out its latest operation Tuesday night in a series of efforts to keep unsafe scooters and mopeds off the streets.

Officers seized nine mopeds and issued seven summonses, along with multiple citations, for “various motor vehicle law violations,” police said in a statement Wednesday. The operation, which took place downtown, is part of a larger initiative known as Operation Safe Scooter.

What is Operation Safe Scooter?

Operation Safe Scooter is an initiative launched by Boston police in response to “ongoing public safety concerns” regarding scooters and mopeds, specifically their links to “motor vehicle violations and violent crimes.” Other concerns include underage riders, along with unlicensed and uninsured operators.

The operation has been active at least since May 15, when officers in the Back Bay neighborhood seized eight scooters and arrested a man who was allegedly driving a stolen scooter. The owners of the eight towed scooters were summonsed to court for “various motor vehicle violations.”

Later that month, officers seized nine more unregistered scooters and took another man into custody after he allegedly attempted to flee from officers who attempted to stop him for “recklessly operating an unregistered moped,” according to police. The man was charged with resisting arrest, failure to stop for police, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

More than 50 scooters seized since October crackdown

After a lull in incidents reported from June to September, the initiative has prompted more operations than ever this month with more than 50 scooters seized since the start of October.

Officers in Dorchester issued citations and seized a total of 13 scooters Oct. 1, with one of those seizures leading to an arrest, police said in a statement. A man was taken into custody after police approached him for allegedly operating his scooter without a helmet or registration plate.

The man allegedly resisted arrest and fled on foot, dropping a loaded firearm as he ran before police apprehended him. He was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, carrying a loaded firearm on a public way, resisting arrest, and multiple motor vehicle violations.

That same day, officers in the Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood towed nine unregistered motorcycles and arrested a man who was allegedly operating his motorcycle without a license. The man allegedly attempted to flee and was charged with resisting arrest, failure to stop for police, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, police said in a statement.

Officers in Hyde Park towed 11 mopeds Oct. 15 as part of the operation, with citations and criminal summonses issued to the owners, according to police. Three more mopeds were seized downtown Oct. 16, with citations and summonses issued to the owners.

While conducting the operation downtown, officers also arrested a man who allegedly attempted to flee when ordered to stop his motorcycle after driving recklessly. When an officer grabbed the motorcycle’s handlebar, he allegedly fled on foot but was apprehended, police said in a statement.

The man was later charged with resisting arrest, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, refusal to identify, and multiple other motor vehicle violations, according to police.

Eight more scooters were seized Oct. 23, with summonses once again issued, according to police. One man was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license and refusal to submit after he was stopped for driving recklessly and attempted to flee, police said in a statement.

Anyone with information related to similar illegal activity to any of the above incidents is urged to contact the Boston Police Department or call 911 in case of an emergency, police said. Community members can also provide information anonymously through the CrimeStoppers tip line by calling 1-800-494-TIPS or texting “TIP” to CRIME (27463).