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Acting police chief says education, impounds and drone footage are central to e-bike enforcement in Menifee
Summary
At a District 2 town hall, Menifee officials outlined a mix of school-based education, ordinance enforcement, and technology — including drones and in-car cameras — to address illegal e-bikes and e-motorcycles that residents say are creating safety hazards.
Councilmember Ben Diederich and the police department told residents at a Menifee District 2 town hall that the city is using education and enforcement to curb dangerous e-bike and e-motorcycle use.
The acting chief of police (name not given) said the council approved an ordinance to clarify classifications and enforcement for three classes of e-bicycles and separate e-motorcycles. "There's a definite distinction between ebikes and e-motorcycles," the acting chief said, adding that e-motorcycles "don't have pedals" and often resemble dirt bikes that "cost between $4 and $5,000." He said officers have impounded roughly "15 or 20" such vehicles and pursue enforcement when a vehicle is not street-legal.
Officials described a two-part approach: prevention through school partnerships and enforcement for repeat or egregious offenses. The acting chief said the department is working with all three local school districts and school resource officers on e-bike safety courses; participating students will receive small local incentives tied to partner businesses. "Education is also a priority for us," he said.
Police also described expanded use of technology to identify riders and supporters of enforcement. The chief said officers use in-car camera footage and a drone program that can provide an overhead view when riders scatter from ground units: "We were able to be overhead and see exactly where they were going, and we were able to cut their paths off," he said, recounting an incident that led to an arrest and impounds.
Officials referenced recent regional incidents as part of the rationale for stricter enforcement: the acting chief noted an Orange County crash that has prompted district attorneys to consider charges against parents in some cases. He said the department is balancing enforcement and community outreach so enforcement does not outpace education.
Resident Richard Melrose suggested a school sticker or registration program used by other districts; the acting chief said the department is discussing similar programs with school administrators but that any campus policy must be approved by the school district. Mayor's office and city staff encouraged residents to report incidents to the police so the department can analyze call patterns and target enforcement: the traffic hotline number given was (951) 723-1690 and the traffic complaint email is trafficcomplaint@minifeepolice.org.
The city did not announce any new ordinance language or an immediate change in policy at the meeting; officials said work will continue with schools and that enforcement, impoundment and educational outreach will remain the priorities in the coming months.
