The Philadelphia Police Department is rolling out more officers onto its streets in an initiative aimed directly at curtailing citywide crime. This visibility surge started earlier this year with mobile surge units, but a new cadre of the department's elite is joining the mix — the Elite Highway Patrol Unit. According to a CBS News Philadelphia report, Deputy Commissioner James Kelly stated, "We're really trying to make a visible difference out there," as he discussed the units' deployment which began Friday night to aid mobile teams and district personnel.

Not only is the police presence meant to deter conventional crime, but also to directly engage with a specific vehicular nuisance — illegal ATVs. The noise and danger presented by ATV riders illegally taking to the streets have been a growing concern. The Elite Highway Patrol Unit is set to not only work to safely ensure that the streets remain off-limits to these vehicles but also to actively supplement PPD's ATV details. Kelly disclosed they are aiming to "get more officers trained and to put more dirt bikes out there," realizing this touchy situation needs a delicate yet firm approach, aligning with policies for public and officer safety. “Do not get out of your car. Call 911. Let them know where you're at. Don't try to confront them," advised a police officer named Cram in an interview, as reported by 6abc News.

The strategy unfolds further onto the impromptu car meetups that have been a thorn in the side of the local law enforcement. These gatherings, frequently arranged through social media, have been a nightly headache for residents and authorities alike. Police are mandated to, upon arrival, break up these assemblies, yet their mission is not solely to scatter but also to actively pursue the confiscation of the cars involved and invoke accountability. "It's just a matter of us getting there, dispersing them, and mitigating some of the damage they do," Cram elucidated in a statement obtained by 6abc News.