LAS VEGAS (FOX5) —The grandfather of two minibike and go-kart riders at the center of a Henderson neighborhood dispute is defending the young people and pushing back against the neighbor who complained, even as he acknowledges the bikes are illegal on city streets.
The story has drawn nearly 900 comments on FOX5’s Facebook page, with many readers siding with the riders.
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Grandfather speaks out
Denny Otrambo says his two grandsons have cruised up and down the street near a home close to I-11 and Horizon Ridge.
“Why is this gentleman have such an issue with three or four 13, 14-year-old kids putting up the road on their minibikes?” Otrambo said.
Responding to neighbor Mark Lippincott’s characterization of the group, Otrambo said, “They’re not outlaws. All they are is kids.”
Otrambo said one of his grandsons performed donuts seen in a previous report and told him afterward he regretted it. Otrambo said his grandson was upset over how Lippincott treated his mother and younger brother.
Where the law stands
Otrambo said the kids ride on Heather Drive to reach a nearby desert area.
Henderson police said minibikes and go-karts are not permitted on city streets, parks or trails.
“They would have to be used on private property or off-road in designated BLM areas,” Henderson Police said in a statement to FOX5.
Neighbor’s offer met with skepticism
Lippincott told FOX5 police responded to his home after the original story aired and said they would monitor the area. He said officers were present Tuesday and Wednesday.
Lippincott says he has offered to drive the kids and their bikes to the desert in his truck.
Otrambo said the boys are unlikely to take him up on it.
“I think the boys would be very, very cautious about that because they don’t trust him as far as they can throw him right now,” Otrambo said.
Otrambo added that if Lippincott had approached the family calmly, the outcome could have been different.
“Now, if Mr. Lippincott had came up and politely and quietly talked to my son, my grandson, my daughter-in-law, whatever… And said, look, guys, you know, can you go around the block on the other side? This bothers me and everything. They would do that because it’s out of respect for somebody else,” Otrambo said.
Lippincott has told FOX5 his conversations with the kids and parents were not productive and thinks riders have retaliated because of his complaints, which included the donuts outside his home. He told FOX5, after Wednesday’s report, many in the area are in the same situation and have thanked him for standing up when others would not or could not.
“But if it saves a child’s or teen’s life, I’m good” He replied.
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