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Council member pushes for tougher enforcement after off‑road vehicle incidents; MAC asks sheriff and CHP to act
Summary
A District 5 MAC member urged stepped‑up enforcement after a string of ATV/UTV incidents that damaged property and killed animals; the council voted to ask the sheriff to increase patrols and to request CHP enforcement on public roads.
A council member told the District 5 Municipal Advisory Council that repeated off‑road vehicle incidents have harmed people, killed animals and damaged private property, and urged law enforcement and residents to act.
"We've had incidents in the community where people are riding their ATVs, their motorcycles, their UTVs on private property, which has led to animals being killed, property being destroyed," the council member said during a discussion that prompted two formal action motions.
The council voted to (1) implore the county sheriff to increase law‑enforcement visibility in the community and (2) request that the California Highway Patrol (CHP) address illegal use of off‑road vehicles on public roads. Both motions were moved, seconded and approved by roll call.
Captain Lamb of the sheriff's office told the MAC that a recent enforcement operation on March 29 involving CHP, Fish and Wildlife and county deputies towed 18 off‑road vehicles, issued 11 citations, recovered one stolen vehicle, and resulted in two pursuits and three felony arrests. "It was a pretty successful operation," he said.
Officer Javier Navaro of CHP said the agency plans targeted enforcement and has limited authority on private property. "We can't chase them on private property. But if they hit the streets, they're free game," he said, and added that CHP had secured funding to add enforcement in the Novo area.
County staff and law‑enforcement speakers explained enforcement mechanics for private property: property owners can file a notarized '602' no‑trespass letter with the station that allows officers to act without the owner present when trespassing is observed. Officers noted evidence limitations for prosecution — camera footage and license plates help but may not by themselves identify a driver.
The MAC asked staff to follow up with written reports and to work with the supervisor's office on community outreach to encourage residents to file '602' letters and provide timely reports and evidence when incidents occur. The council also urged continued coordination with CHP and the sheriff's office to schedule additional enforcement operations.
The MAC closed the agenda item after voting; staff said they will report back with updates at a future meeting.
