Sheriff's office urges impoundment authority, parental notices and county speed limits for e-devices

A law‑enforcement representative appearing for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office described statutory and enforcement challenges tied to micromobility and offered concrete regulatory options for county consideration. The sergeant substituting for Lieutenant Crabb said device classes are confusing, staffing is limited and some dangerous devices are being modified beyond statutory definitions.

"Currently, our highest speed that we've observed, was 83 miles per hour on a sidewalk," the sergeant said, citing extreme observed modifications and risky behavior. He recommended a countywide maximum speed standard by facility type, enforcement focused on reckless activities, parental notification for first offenses with escalating penalties, the authority to impound noncompliant devices and consideration of prohibiting e‑bikes from sidewalks in negotiated language.

Law enforcement emphasized humane, pragmatic enforcement: officials said they do not want to create permanent criminal records for children and prefer education and parental engagement where possible. The sheriff's office recommended combining enforcement options with funding for staffing and shared public education and said impoundment and simplified device definitions would make citations more enforceable.