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Lake Forest proposes security guards, golf-cart patrols at Sports Park to curb reckless e-bike use
Summary
Staff proposed amending the city security contract to add a marked security guard in a golf cart at Lake Forest Sports Park during peak hours to deter reckless e-bike activity; staff cited more than 400 e-bike related calls to the sheriff’s department over the past year and a social-media outreach that reached about 95,000 views.
Laura Hunter (staff member) updated the Community Services Commission on enhanced security measures proposed for Lake Forest Sports Park after residents reported harassment and disrupted activities involving electric bicycles.
Hunter said staff met with residents on April 9 and that an April 29 ad hoc meeting led by Mayor Scott Voigt and Mayor Pro Tem Robert Pichenia reviewed enforcement efforts. She told commissioners that the Orange County Sheriff's Department had received “over 400 e-bike related calls, more than half citing public disturbances.” She also said public awareness messaging on the issue had reached “over 95,000 views.”
To respond, staff proposed a draft amendment to the city’s security contract with California Panther Security to deploy a marked guard in a security golf cart at the Sports Park. Hunter described the proposed hours as Monday–Friday, 4 to 10 p.m., and Saturday–Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with duties to deter and respond to reckless e-bike activity, document incidents and contact the sheriff’s department when necessary. Hunter said the guard would wear a vest, operate a clearly marked cart, and that the presence was intended as a visible deterrent rather than to chase riders.
Hunter said the proposed approach would enforce the municipal code provision addressing reckless riding (chapter 13) and expect staff to launch coverage later this month or in early June if the amendment is approved. She said the measure is intended to reduce calls to the sheriff’s department and support staff and contractors at the park.
Commissioners asked about the proposed hours and whether they should extend later during summer evenings; Hunter said the listed hours are initial “ballpark” times and staff will adjust as needed. Commissioner Jones asked whether the city had coordinated with the sheriff’s department about the use of golf carts; Hunter said the carts are a rapid-response mobility tool and not intended for pursuit, and that OCSD similarly would not chase riders.
Several commissioners and staff emphasized that field ambassadors and sheriff’s deputies will continue to be part of the layered approach and that signage and citations under chapter 13 would support enforcement. Hunter said the draft amendment is in internal review and that staff will provide monthly security reports as part of future commission packets to show guard engagements and other metrics.
No formal action was taken at this meeting; staff recommended that the commission receive and file the report and offered to return with updates following contract amendment and operational rollout.
