Schuylkill Township police will not chase all-terrain vehicles, according to township police Chief Frank DiMarco.

DiMarco emphasized the township's nonchasing policy for ATVs at Monday's board of supervisors meeting.The topic led to a heated argument between DiMarco and resident Joe Leskin after Leskin brought up the speeding that takes place on Valley Street.Leskin demanded that the police do something about the ATVs that he said are illegally being operated on the street, as well as the excess speeding in the area, adding that no arrests have been made."The speeding on Valley Street is out of control like the speed limit doesn't exist, and it goes on 24 hours a day," Leskin said.DiMarco said the police can't be there 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and that he was there on Friday, but Leskin couldn't see him from his house."In your report, you didn't mention one speeding ticket in this whole township," Leskin shot back.DiMarco said that if they see the police car, it's a deterrence."If they break the law they get a ticket, but we want people to see a police car there and slow down," he said."But the police car can't be there 24/7, Joe. I don't have any other explanation other than us sitting there 24/7."Leskin countered that the officer DiMarco replaced was able to give speeding tickets on Valley Street, to which DiMarco said may have been the case on the other end of Valley Street, but not by Leskin's house.Leskin said that the officer DiMarco replaced constantly chased cars up and down Valley Street with the lights and the sirens."And she chased quads too," Leskin said. "It's against the law for them to be on that street."DiMarco said, "We do not chase quads. We're not getting ourselves into litigation."Leskin asked DiMarco if he was saying they're legal to run on the street, because they're illegal to be on the road."There's illegal things that go on every day," DiMarco said. "If we can identify who's on an ATV we make the arrest."Leskin shot back, "Why do I have to do your job? I'm telling you what's going on."DiMarco said that police absolutely will not chase quads, and that was the end of the story."So you're not worth having," Leskin said.DiMarco responded to Leskin's remark by telling him, "Then you can ask the board to fire me.""So you people are going to let this go on," Leskin said. "This is what the board lets go on with our police force."After DiMarco reiterated, "I'm absolutely not going to chase anyone."Leskin said, "I'm not talking to you, (I'm) talking to the board now.""You're going to talk to me 'cause I'm here, and I'm going to listen," DiMarco said."OK, then shut up and listen," Leskin said.After DiMarco told Leskin not to tell him to shut up, DiMarco asked Leskin to leave.Leskin said he was talking to the board, which DiMarco said he could, but that he's not going to talk over him."And you're not going to talk over me," Leskin said.When DiMarco told Leskin that he can leave, Leskin said that DiMarco can leave."You're not going to make me leave, Joe," DiMarco said. "I'm the chief of police here. If you don't like it, there's the door."We do not chase ATVs," DiMarco said. "That's our policy."Supervisor Charles Hosler then asked DiMarco if that meant police wouldn't chase them even if they're on the road."You do not chase an ATV and put lives in danger for a citation," DiMarco said."It's not worth litigation. What if that person wrecks. What if that person dies. We're getting sued. We do not chase ATVs. Absolutely not."