Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

In my opinion, there are better and more productive ways to spend our OHV funds. Maybe if the funds were spent on what they were designed for (opening and maintaining OHV areas) there would be no need for excessive patrol of other areas. I do not support this grant and feel that there are better ways of catching real criminals. All this grant would provide is more revenue for the state by ticketing tax paying and OHV funding citizens.... Michael Allen - 3/10/16

14 Deputies and 5 Felony arrest for one year! Are you kidding we need them on the streets fighting real crime. Had they been on the streets patrolling they would have made many more than 5 felony arrests. Move them to the streets and save the OHV Enforcement Team for Volunteers or Reserves. S. Kemp - 3/11/16

In FAVOR of the grant for PSD. Trespassing by dirt bikers on private property and the poaching of foot trails (including the PCT) off designated routes on public land is rampant in my area. Additionally, there have been incidents where dirt bikers have chased livestock on a private ranch, causing the death of a calf and causing a pair of donkeys to be chased over the top of the Sierra Pelona into Acton. The argument posited by some bikers that enforcement of OHV laws will cause young people to commit crimes if OHV laws are enforced is specious: They are already committing a crime by riding where they are not allowed. M. Watton - 3/13/16

I support the proposed project by Clovis Independent 4Wheelers. They do great work and green sticker funds are well spent on trail maintenance. Steve Cowdrey - 3/13/16

I wish to voice my total support for this very beneficial program/grant and ask for continued generous grant support.

The OHV team have already saved lives in Acton due to prior grants. In 2015 an enforcement action was successfully prosecuted by the OHV unit against a reckless OHV rider who trespassed and carelessly and dangerously illegally rode on Angeles Forest Highway and elsewhere.

Were it not for this grant, this successful enforcement action would not have been possible and this type of dangerous behavior would likely have resulted in injuries and fatalities to other motorists and horsebackriders. This one successful case and lives saved is worth all the grant funding this year.

Continued grant funding allows very much needed prompt response, additional patrolling and allocation of needed resources to continue. Regular vehicle patrols cannot reach many inaccessible areas in our semi rural neighborhood. Most residents move here with horses and we want to safely ride them. Horses and OHV's don't mix and create a dangerous risk for residents and their horses. Residents in our semi-rural area need continued additional resources to insure safety as there is a lawless OHV element who simply don't care about our safety.

Most of the dissenting opinions contributing to this discussion are those who routinely, illegally and dangerously trespass in our neighborhood. We residents deserve to be safe and enjoy the peacefulness of our properties. Thank You, Karen O'Reilly - 3/14/16

On a local trail I hiked for years, in what used to be a very pretty area, I was threatened by two bicyclists when I objected to the concrete jumps they were building on the trail. I don't go there now, it's dangerous. On the Pacific Crest Trail, where all vehicles are prohibited, we were almost hit from behind by a dirt biker.

Increased presence by law enforcement would do a lot towards subduing the "wild west" atmosphere. I realize most people are law-abiding but there are too many that think they can do anything they want anywhere they want, without regard for the environment or other people. Cyndi Johnson - 3/14/16

I have lived in Acton, CA for 15 years now. During this time period we've been inundated with Illegal Dirt Bike riding, OHV's (including Polaris type vehicles and homemade dune buggies) and the like.     Despite putting up signs and verbally telling the offenders that their activities are illegal, it has continued.   Not only do they disturb the peace, but they tear up our roads, our hills, trespass through properties, they are rude and inconsiderate, they create a lot of dust, noise, cause ruts in the roads and hillsides which lead to erosion and flooding of various areas where people like us live (in the dirt).

Additionally, I personally was nearly hit by an illegal dirt bike rider who drove up my road and almost hit my vehicle head on as I was driving west on the road in front of my property.     There have been a number of other times when I've been on horseback and had illegal dirt bike riders or Quads come out of nowhere and scare my horses who in turn run and become out of control causing great danger to not just myself but also to the horse and anyone else who may end up in the path of an out of control horse.

Not too long ago it came to my attention that the Palmdale Sheriff Station had an active OHV Team in charge of patrolling and catching these offenders on Sheriff Department Dirt bikes.   There is no other way to catch these offenders as Deputies in patrol vehicles have no way of getting their patrol vehicles through skinny tight paths, or up on the SCE Roads, or other steep areas, etc.

Since the OHV Team this has been patrolling our area and responding to complaints, the number of offenders has gone down greatly.

The Sergeant in charge in Acton, CA (Sgt. Jeff Acton) is very good at what he does and very receptive to civilians calling in complaints and helping to find the culprits and deal with them appropriately.

I ask that this Grant be given to the Applying agency so they may continue doing the outstanding job which they have been doing. Thank you for your time, Sincerely, Cathy Norman 4/14/16

It is obvious who the objectors are: dirt bike riders who want to ride illegally. Reading their posts makes it obvious what kind of people they are. But people who value the beauty of the desert and understand its fragility and aren't only out for their own kicks will welcome the enforcement, as well as hikers and horseback riders. These wildass violators are the minority, but unfortunately its in their best interest to make a lot of negative noise about the grant. Gusty Wings – 3/16/16

I am fully in support of the Palmdale Sheriff's Station off-road enforcement program. I only wish it could be expanded even more. As a hiker and equestrian, I find more and more areas that are being destroyed due to excessive OHV use. Natural features are driven over, native plants destroyed, and animals killed (I have found more than one snake squashed on a trail). Hillsides that were covered with wildflowers and junipers are now scarred with giant looping tracks and deeply rutted with erosion. The amount of broken beer bottles and other trash in open areas is increasing.

On a local trail I hiked for years, in what used to be a very pretty area, I was threatened by two bicyclists when I objected to the concrete jumps they were building on the trail. I don't go there now, it's dangerous. On the Pacific Crest Trail, where all vehicles are prohibited, we were almost hit from behind by a dirt biker.

Increased presence by law enforcement would do a lot towards subduing the "wild west" atmosphere. I realize most people are law-abiding but there are too many that think they can do anything they want anywhere they want, without regard for the environment or other people. Cyndi Johnson – 3/14/16

March 13, 2016 To whom it may concern, I am writing this letter in response to a large request by the local community here in Acton, California about illegal off road vehicles. My wife and I have been a resident in Acton for almost 24 years and are deeply concerned about the increase in motorcycles and ATV’s that are tearing up our community. This community is predominately equestrian people and we are very upset about the disrespect that we get when we ask these off road vehicles to turn off their motors while we are riding our horses. We have been informed by local law enforcement (Palmdale Sheriff Station) that motorcycles – off road vehicles are not permitted in Acton and that it is against the law.

There have been numerous and serious accidents due to these motorcycles. I know many of my fellow horseback riders that have fallen off due to negligence of these motorcycle riders and a few have even been hospitalized. This problem is getting worse and we need immediate attention on this serious matter.

Although this problem is predominately occurring on the weekend and holidays – we have noticed now that it is escalating on a daily basis. This increase in illegal off road activity is increasing more and more accidents in horseback riding here in Acton, California.

I hope this letter on this illegal activity will draw your immediate attention on providing the funds needed for our local Sheriff’s Department to enforce this law. We ask that you take this letter seriously and this will draw attention to laws that are being broken in our community!!!

I thank you for addressing this matter and anxiously await your reply. Thank you, Sal and Gail Tarantino – 3/14/16

Per your public request in the Antelope Valley Press of 3/9/16, I have reviewed the 2016 grant application for the LASD OHV enforcement team. I totally agree with the request and hope it will be fully funded for another year.

I live on the far west side of Juniper Hills (5 miles south of Littlerock, CA) in a very rural area nearby to the Angeles National Forest (ANF). Motorcycle dirt bikes trespassing on private property have been a problem here for decades. When the Palmdale LASD enforcement team began actively patrolling Juniper Hills in 2009, the illegal incursions dropped dramatically. However, some of the undeveloped areas near my house and in the adjacent ANF are still a problem. Of particular concern is the Alimony Ridge trail in the ANF, the Pollia jeep trail (1/2 miles southwest of 96th St. East and Cima Mesa road), and the west fork of the Brainard canyon trail. I recently (March 2016) inspected all 3 of these trails and saw lots of fresh dirt bike tracks proving the problem has not gone away. The OHV enforcement team is aware of these illegal riding areas but the incursions are random and it comes down to catching the violators at the right time and place.

The LASD OHV enforcement team has done a great job in reducing this problem. If we lose their service I am sure the illegal dirt bike riders will quickly return to their old ways of total disrespect for private and public property and destruction of the environment. John Parsons – 3/14/16

I would like to thank you and the entire Palmdale Sheriff Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Team for your presence in the neighborhood. As you are well aware, we have been troubled by off roaders who ride where they wish, without respect of others and most importantly disregard for safety. Through your team’s efforts, we have experienced a decrease in off road vehicles in the area. Another positive result from the presence of your team, the hillside is experiencing plant regrowth on the numerous trails created and a benefit to the entire community during this rainy season, a decrease in erosion caused by these trails. We sincerely appreciate your team’s efforts to preserve our local environment and promote safety in our neighborhoods. Mike Lang – 3/16/16

See attached letter. Deborah Rice-Lang MN, FNP – 3/16/16

See attached. Deborah Rice-Lang MN, FNP – 3/16/16

This letter is in support of the continued funding of the Off Highway Vehicle Enforcement Team, Law Enforcement, Palmdale.

My town of Agua Dulce, California, has a population of about 4,000 people and we have one resident sheriff to patrol our entire area. This area is a rural equestrian community with mountainous terrain, vast vegetation and mostly dirt roads. Local residents live here to enjoy the Pacific Crest Trails, Angeles National Forest, and the other informal trail systems maintained for equestrians. However, the serenity of this rural nature is often destroyed by illegal motor vehicles and their frequent criminal behavior. These riders constantly trespass on my property, destroy gates, cut off chains and locks, break fencing, frighten and endanger my horses, and are always confrontational when I’m present to witness their destruction of my property. I have numerous private property signs and law enforcement signs informing such riders of their illegal conduct. We need OHV teams to access these areas because a patrol car physically cannot utilize these trails to track down the wrongdoers. When OHV has conducted patrols and issued citations, we typically see short-term drops in activity. This year we had a renter move in to the area and within days, he had verbal altercations regarding his motorcycle trespassing with our neighbors and then physically drove me off the road while I was on horseback. Then he followed up with a text message threatening me to do it again. Within days of those incidents, Sgt. Acton’s OHV team made its presence known through increased patrols resulting in him moving out after a few months. Without the team’s assistance, we would continue to be dealing with a dangerous, out of control motorcyclist.

In addition to needing the OHV for targeting the off-road nuisance, we also need their services because many of the vehicles they come into contact with do not have spark arresters. Without spark arresters, these bikes pose a significant risk of forest fires. We are in a burn zone and pay significant insurance rates plus the cost of land clearance each year. The state needs to do its part in preventing fires and this unit is one way to do that by taking these dangerous illegal vehicles out of fire zones and forcing them into legal riding areas.

Finally, I want to thank the OHV and specifically Sgt. Jeff Acton for the continued communication with my family to help us feel safe and secure in our area. Due to the hostile nature of the off-road trespassers, I often feel vulnerable to their threatening behavior. However, Sgt. Acton is only a phone call away and that gives me peace of mind. Even when he isn’t on duty, he gets a patrol unit to us as soon as possible. I like knowing the law enforcement officers who are protecting my family and relying on them for our safety. Sincerely, Marcy and Alan Calnan – 3/21/16

In northern L.A.County off-road vehicles are destroying the land, killing native species of animals an plants, degrading the atmosphere with dust and costing the tax-payer to restore and repair their destruction.

The Palmdale Sheriff's station is seriously understaffed and overworked. Last time I called to report trucks running up and down hills in our area, I was routed to the CHP since the Sheriff's office was unable to respond. There is no way the CHP can respond to this sort of call, since they do not have the right kind of vehicles.

Please fund our Sheriff's department and protect our quality of life and the future of our community from thoughtless destruction in our area. Thank you, Kathryn G. Rairden – 3/24/16

I do not believe that OHV money was intended for Law Enforcement. My monies should be going towards maintaining the OHV system of parks and creating new opportunities for the tax payers that provide the funding. Chris Gallop – 4/2/16

The purpose of the Grants program is to provide for well managed OHV Recreation by providing financial assistance to eligible agencies and organizations that develop, maintain, operate, expand, support, or contribute to well managed, high-quality, OHV Recreation areas, roads, and trails, and to responsibly maintain the wildlife, soils, and habitat of Project Areas in a manner that will sustain long-term OHV Recreation in accordance with the legislative provisions and intent of the Act commencing at PRC Section 5090.01. However, the stated purposes of this LASD project are "to build positive relationships between youth and law enforcement” and "teaching underprivileged kids to overcome daily challenges.” This is not consistent with the purpose of the Grants program and should not be funded. In fact, even the motto of the project, "Gear Up for Life,” is well outside the grant program parameters. The per person cost of this program is exponentially more than than the OHV training programs offered by nonprofit organizations. Paying wages in excess of $100 per hour for training staff is ridiculous when OHV training can be provided by nonprofit organizations for less than one-quarter the wage rate. I suggest the LASD seek funding from grant programs that are focused on, and are better suited for law enforcement agencies seeking to improve their relationships with urban communities. The LASD poor relationship with urban youth cannot be fixed through a ride on an OHV. Its problems with youth are institutional and are rooted far deeper, i.e.: the former LASD Sheriff will soon himself be jailed for making false reports to law enforcement, and his Undersheriff is soon to follow, now being tried for conspiracy and obstruction of justice. In fact, the Sheriff’s office is operating under a federal consent decree for discrimination and harassment of Latinos and blacks here in the Antelope Valley. The OHV grant fund cannot afford these LASD programs that provide only marginal benefits to OHV recreation, or to the users that fund them. I urged staff to reject this application that is not within the scope of the grants and cooperative agreements program. Randy Banis – 4/4/16

As a resident of Leona Valley, which is within the jurisdiction of the LASD Palmdale office, I do not support this grant. The LASD Palmdale OHV Enforcement Team has been active since 2000, yet LA County has done absolutely nothing to even try to fix the problem here. In this time, the LASD Palmdale has received and spent millions of dollars from the OHV grant fund, and yet the situation here has not improved. Until LA County can provide meaningful and legal OHV recreation opportunities here in the Antelope Valley, OHV enforcement money will only continue to be wasted. In its annual raid of the OHV fund, LA County pointlessly continues trying to fill a bucket that is full of holes rather than fixing the holes. It is time to put this 15 year Palmdale OHV Enforcement Team to bed as having utterly failed to produce any legal OHV recreation in the Antelope Valley. Los Angeles County refuses to provide ANY legal OHV recreation opportunities for their nearly half million residents of the Antelope Valley. North of the Sierra Pelona ridgeline, which frames the southern boundary of the Antelope Valley, there are zero legal riding trails in LA County despite the tens of thousands of green sticker vehicle owners that live there. Two years ago LA County was awarded a development grant that would have established the first legal OHV riding area in the Antelope Valley. However, at the insistence of the equestrian community, our LA County Supervisor nixed the plan with no alternative and no further hope for OHV owners in the Antelope Valley. Understand that several commenters here are well known local equestrian community leaders that steadfastly oppose the establishment of any legal OHV riding opportunities in the Palmdale region. Such people are quick to call for more law enforcement to apply the stick, but shortsightedly fail to understand the superior role of the carrot. Equestrian leaders are quick to preach the importance of using positive training methods for horses, yet they oppose the same for our OHV riding kids! (It would also be nice if they would clean up after their own horses when they trespass across my property to get to THEIR legal riding trails — of which, again, OHV riders have none, but that’s another issue.) Commenter Ms. Deborah Rice-Lang also fails to see this big picture. She writes that OHV users "ride where they wish,” when in fact, there is NO legal riding opportunities anywhere in the Antelope Valley for them. If Ms. Rice-Lang, Ms. Watton and others would support creating legal and safe OHV recreation opportunities here in the Antelope Valley, then they would truly see a more permanent reduction in illegal riding here. Ms. Rice-Lang would also be correct to acknowledge that the real reason OHV injuries are down is because the number OHV registrations is also down since the start of Great Recession in 2009. With the economy heating up again, and with still no safe and legal OHV riding opportunities here in the Antelope Valley, Ms. Rice-Lang is certain to see OHV injuries again increase in our community. People ride their OHV’s illegally in the Antelope Valley because there are no legal riding opportunities here. I object to my OHV registration and fuel tax dollars going to LA County to clean up after a problem that they have no desire to fix. It is time to shut off agencies like LA County that only exacerbate the problem of illegal OHV riding rather than attempt to address it. But by continuing to dole out free cash for enforcement year after year without addressing the lack of opportunity is the wrong incentive for change. LEGAL OHV TRAILS IN THE ANTELOPE VALLEY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY See: www.deathvalley.com/images/stories/av.png Source: OwlsheadGPS Project — Designated OHV Trails in California CASE STUDY: Randsburg is a popular ghost town destination for OHV’ers recreating in Eastern Kern County. Ten years ago, the Kern County Sheriffs Office received hundreds of complaint calls about OHV’ers riding illegally in Randsburg. Rather than view OHV’ers as the enemy, Kern County partnered with OHV user groups to better manage OHV visitation to Randsburg. Through a combination of enforcement, maps, signing, OHV parking areas, and the designation of appropriate routes for OHV’ers to legally access Randsburg, complaints about OHVer's to the Kern County Sheriff have decreased to zero. LESSON: Rather than viewing them as the enemy, LA County needs to partner with OHV’ers to cooperatively curb illegal OHV use through a program that combines effective and targeted enforcement and the designation of legal OHV opportunities in the Antelope Valley. Randy Banis – 4/4/16

Diane and I want to thank you for all the hard work and service you and your team give to the Acton/Agua Dulce area. You do a valuable service not only to our community but to all of the Antelope Valley. Your team can go into area where patrol cars cannot reach and you and your team keep these areas safe for the homes owners in the areas and the recreationalist in the area. Any funding that your team can obtain is just more support for these areas. Thank you again for your service, Les and Diane Jundy – 4/4/16