Illegal ATV activity on the rise

OHP teams with sheriff to crack down on riders flouting rules

“Persons who continue such illegal activity will be cited into court and run a significant risk of having your vehicles impounded.” — Sheriff Frank Leonbruno

The Ohio Highway Patrol deployed its helicopter unit on May 2-3 in Lake County to track illegal ATV activities, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

After identifying riders, the helicopters called out to the riders using its speaker system. In other cases, the helicopter tracked riders who refused to stop and ran from law enforcement, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Those riders were eventually stopped and cited.

The helicopter activity came after an influx of ATV-related complaints and issues.

Lake County Sheriff Frank Leonbruno

said in a May 4 statement that over the past two weekends his office, the Ohio Highway Patrol, and Perry Village Police Department “participated in a joint operation to curb the significant invasion of various ATVs onto railroad right of ways, private property, and public roadways in Painesville Township and Perry Township.”

“Despite repeated warnings to cease such activities the ATVs and dirt bikes have been flooding into the two townships from areas throughout Lake County, surrounding counties, and as far away as Pennsylvania to use the large tracks of lands on the Sidley properties, various nursery lands, and other private property areas where they are not permitted,” Leonbruno said in his statement.

Many of the riders are creating significant hazards in addition to violating “numerous trespassing laws,” Leonbruno said. The sheriff said his office has received reports from the railroad industry that the significant ATV traffic up and down the track lines is undermining the stone track supports.

“Their engineers are reporting that the vehicles are kicking the stone base support from underneath the tracks which will cause derailments along these highly used train routes,” Leonbruno said.

Riders are also using routes 20, 84 and various side streets to illegally move between areas, Leonbruno. He alleged that when law enforcement have attempted to stop violators, the riders have given them the middle finger, performed wheelies and raced off. When law enforcement pursued them, the riders would cut into wooded areas where police vehicles can’t follow them.

“We have received numerous reports from motorists complaining that the riders have cut them off performing such stunts, or nearly collided with them as they cross the roads from wooded areas,” Leonbruno said. “Recent reports have riders driving down route 20 in front of the fairgrounds performing stunts through crowded traffic.”

Many residents have filed complaints of damage to their property, having their yards turfed and bike paths worn through their wooded areas, Leonbruno said.

“Equally, nurseries have long complained about the significant traffic through their properties creating damage and significant legal liability for them as business owners,” he said. “Reports from residents are growing that when they attempt to stop many of these individuals they are met with confrontation and cursing from some riders.”

Leonbruno said that despite repeated news releases and warnings posted regarding the illegal use of property by ATVs, the activity has “significantly increased.” That led to the

Sheriffs Office, OHP and Perry Village police targeting numerous areas throughout the Painesville Township and Perry Township areas over the past two weekends and the helicopter use over this past weekend.

“It is important to note that many riders stopped when approached by law enforcement units and cooperated fully,” he said. “Some believed, given the high amount of ATV traffic, that they were permitted in these areas. Officers informed them of the problems we were addressing, they explained they would not do it again, and left the area immediately. We appreciate their cooperation and most received only warnings.

“While we understand that the use of all-terrain vehicles is fun and a great way to spend the day with family and friends, it cannot be done by driving on private property where you do not have permission to do so, using public roadways where you are not licensed to do so, or using the railroad right of ways.”

The sheriff stressed that there is danger involved with this activity.

“In numerous incidents

last summer, and already this year, riders have been severely hurt in collisions and rollovers,” Leonbruno said. “A few weeks ago, two riders locked vehicles causing a severe injury to one of the riders on railroad tracks. Deputies and fire personnel had to walk a significant distance to them since it was inaccessible to emergency vehicles. The railroad had to bring in a special vehicle to travel the tracks to load the injured person to get them out of the area, and Lifeflight them for medical attention.”

Leonbruno said ATV riders should only use areas that they are permitted. He said there are numerous places where riders can rent time on property to drive. Unfortunately, however, many of those are out of the area and difficult to drive to without trailers, Leonbruno added.

“If you do go on property in the area, we ask you get the written permission of the land owners and have it with you when stopped,” he said.

Leonbruno added that unless licensed to do so, ATV riders should stay off all public roadways.

“You should never drive along the railroad right-ofways,” he said. “There you not only damage property, you place yourself at great risk of personal injury and death. Moving forward we ask for your cooperation. Persons who continue such illegal activity will be cited into court and run a significant risk of having your vehicles impounded.”

“We have received numerous reports from motorists complaining that the riders have cut them off performing such stunts, or nearly collided with them as they cross the roads from wooded areas.” Sheriff Frank Leonbruno