Carmel PD warns ATV riders against rumored ice race

MAHOPAC, N.Y.—A rumored ATV race allegedly set to take place on a frozen lake in Mahopac has drawn a warning from the Carmel Police Department, which says it is both unsafe and illegal to drive on frozen waters in town.

In a Facebook post on Friday (Jan. 24). CPD said the department had learned of potential plans to hold an ATV or vehicle race on a frozen body of water within the town of Carmel this weekend. Police declined to confirm the location of the race, but it is understood to be somewhere in Mahopac.

“This is an unsanctioned, non-permitted event,” the Facebook post said, adding that Carmel's town code bars all motorized vehicles from going onto frozen bodies of water. Police said Chapter 55 of the Carmel town code restricts vehicle use on any frozen lakes or bodies of water in town.

In addition to it being illegal, it's dangerous because “no frozen body of water in the town has been deemed safe for this use,” the CPD Facebook post said.

Police said they are monitoring the situation and would prosecute anyone they catch driving on the lakes.

“Additional CPD officers will be on patrol in areas surrounding our waterways to enforce local and state laws regarding ATVs,” CPD said on Facebook. “This enforcement may include summonses and/or arrests and impounding of vehicles. Parents/guardians of juvenile operators will be held responsible for any violations.”