- Mar 9, 2001
- 3,177
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[font=Verdana,Helvetica]CALIFORNIA CITY - This high desert city is a popular destination for off-road enthusiasts who flock to the area on holiday weekends to enjoy miles of desert trails. The city even has a special law enforcement program to help police those crowds and offer emergency assistance.
It is local scofflaws, however, who are attracting greater law enforcement attention now.
Acting on increasing complaints of riders roaring too close to residences and taking motorbikes on city streets, where they are not licensed to operate, the California City Police Department is stepping up efforts to enforce off-highway vehicle laws.
"We're starting to have problems in certain areas," said Police Chief Linda Lunsford , especially where new homes have been built near areas riders use to access trails on the north side of town. The problem, however, exists throughout the city, she said.
"We realize this is an increasing problem, and we are taking action. We're going to be a little more aggressive about citing vehicles on the roadways and towing them," Lunsford said. The vehicles may be impounded for 30 days, and cost $700 to retrieve.
City law requires motorbikes to operate farther than 660 feet from residences, to alleviate the disturbance of loud engines and dust.
"You don't go by a house at 60 mph," she said.
Even at 50 mph, the vehicles can be deafening, something many riders don't seem to realize.
"They don't understand why people are complaining," Lunsford said, adding that most residents have no problem with the bikes as long as they pass their homes slowly.
Because the vehicles are not licensed for street use, riders should push - not ride - their bikes to get to the off-road trails that surround the city.
Because the offenders are mobile targets, they often disappear before police officers can arrive at the scene, Lunsford said.
During a recent City Council meeting, Mayor Larry Adams suggested patrolling the known routes and popular trails, where complaints continue.
In addition to stepped-up enforcement activities, the police department will also increase its educational efforts. OHV rules will be included in the Broken Arrow program, a drug-prevention program with officers in area schools, "so they know where they can ride, how they can ride safely," Lunsford said. [/font]
It is local scofflaws, however, who are attracting greater law enforcement attention now.
Acting on increasing complaints of riders roaring too close to residences and taking motorbikes on city streets, where they are not licensed to operate, the California City Police Department is stepping up efforts to enforce off-highway vehicle laws.
"We're starting to have problems in certain areas," said Police Chief Linda Lunsford , especially where new homes have been built near areas riders use to access trails on the north side of town. The problem, however, exists throughout the city, she said.
"We realize this is an increasing problem, and we are taking action. We're going to be a little more aggressive about citing vehicles on the roadways and towing them," Lunsford said. The vehicles may be impounded for 30 days, and cost $700 to retrieve.
City law requires motorbikes to operate farther than 660 feet from residences, to alleviate the disturbance of loud engines and dust.
"You don't go by a house at 60 mph," she said.
Even at 50 mph, the vehicles can be deafening, something many riders don't seem to realize.
"They don't understand why people are complaining," Lunsford said, adding that most residents have no problem with the bikes as long as they pass their homes slowly.
Because the vehicles are not licensed for street use, riders should push - not ride - their bikes to get to the off-road trails that surround the city.
Because the offenders are mobile targets, they often disappear before police officers can arrive at the scene, Lunsford said.
During a recent City Council meeting, Mayor Larry Adams suggested patrolling the known routes and popular trails, where complaints continue.
In addition to stepped-up enforcement activities, the police department will also increase its educational efforts. OHV rules will be included in the Broken Arrow program, a drug-prevention program with officers in area schools, "so they know where they can ride, how they can ride safely," Lunsford said. [/font]
