LAKE COUNTY – With increasing complaints about off-highway vehicles (OHV) in some areas of the county, the Lake County Sheriff's Office reported that it will be stepping up enforcement operations.

Lt. Cecil Brown of the Lake County Sheriff's Office reported that the agency has received reports from several communities around the county that have experienced ongoing problems with OHVs being operated in unauthorized areas.

Brown said property owners have complained of damage to their property and residents have complained of noise and vehicle code violations in areas not appropriate for OHV use.

As a result, the sheriff's office is increasing its effort to remedy this problem, Brown reported.

Deputy sheriffs will enforce trespassing laws, vehicle code sections and Lake County Ordinances in order to discourage illegal operation of OHVs, according to Brown. Deputies have made particular effort to contact OHV users before their OHVs are unloaded and before violations occur.

Lake County Ordinance 19-52 declares it illegal to operate a vehicle on the property of another without written permission, Brown reported. Written permission must be presented to a peace officer upon request. This ordinance may be enforced on public or private property. The full text of this ordinance can be found on the County of Lake’s Web site at www.co.lake.ca.us.

OHV users have many legal off-road opportunities in Lake County, said Brown.

He reported that the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management maintain vast areas of public land designated for off road use. Information is available at www.blm.gov and www.fs.fed.us for OHV users who wish to enjoy the public lands in Lake County.

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