Committee warns of safety and vandalism as electric bikes damage Lago Vista golf course

Staff and committee members described recurring incidents of non-golfers using the course and parking area that have damaged greens and tee boxes and raised safety concerns. Greg, the course operations lead, said staff logged tracks and reported an incident where a part-time employee called police; "I'm waiting for the first time someone whizzes out either golf cart or a car and they'll see one of those kids and someone's in the hospital or dead," he said.

Committee members said groups of riders—often fewer than 10—use the course or parking lot and sometimes jump tee boxes and make tracks on greens. Greg said the city owns the course and that people are not technically committing an offense by standing in the parking lot, but that damage to turf and vandalism are enforceable and that he had discussed the issue with the new police chief.

Options discussed included increased patrols, temporary placement of a police officer on a golf cart, camera installation at likely access points and an education/outreach push for riders. Greg said detectives would visit known access points and that the committee could ask the police chief to attend a future meeting to outline enforcement options and remedies.

Committee members favored a measured approach emphasizing prevention, detection and limited enforcement targeted at vandalism and trespass when damage occurs. The committee agreed to follow up by formally inviting the police chief to a meeting to discuss what the city can do to deter the behavior and protect course property.

What happens next: Committee leadership will reach out to the police chief to request a briefing and the staff will continue documenting incidents and exploring camera locations and other deterrence steps.