I have been following, with great interest, the recent discussions regarding the use of ATV’s on private and county property in Lehigh Acres.
Let me start off by saying that I am NOT against recreational vehicles! Our children spent many hours enjoying 4-wheelers during their childhood. We have many fond memories and spent a lot of time as a family enjoying nature in the northern woods in our home state many years ago. We raised our children to respect the property of others and obey all rules related to the use of their recreational vehicles.
My experience in Lehigh Acres since moving here several years ago has me shaking my head. I moved here in hopes of enjoying the beauty of nature of old Florida that is getting increasingly difficult to find as development continues in our fine state. What I was not expecting when I moved here were people who blatantly ignore laws and damage property without a second thought.
My home is surrounded on two sides by county canals managed by LA-MSID (Lehigh Acres Municipal District). I also have vacant, privately-owned property on both sides of my home. I drive SR 82 daily as I commute to/from work.
There are dirt bikes, ATV’s and 4X4 trucks riding illegally on/in the canals, private property and roads in my neighborhood and around Lehigh Acres on a daily basis. It is my understanding that there are intricate tracks/paths throughout this area which I have seen on aerial maps.
I have had contact with many riders riding illegally on private and county property. Most of these discussions have not ended well. I have calmly tried to educate them that riding on private property and county canals is against the law. I have been spit at, shouted and sworn at, covered in mud and sand as the rider exits abruptly blowing right past a LA-MSID sign forbidding motorized vehicles on county canal property. Many of them insist that the “trails” (canals) are there for their enjoyment. I have been told “this is Lehigh, get used to it” and “if you don’t like it, then move”. Honestly, I’d be lying if I said the thought hasn’t crossed my mind.
I have followed instructions given to me to call and report this activity to the Lee County Sheriff Office (LCSO) at 477-1000. Many responding deputies are sympathetic to my pleas for assistance as it becomes a quality of life issue when after working 12 hour shifts I can’t even enjoy an evening outdoors because of the ATV activity and noise/pollution that it creates. I have also been disappointed by my contact with some deputies that have responded to my call when they say “there really is nothing we can do about it”, “it’s only a misdemeanor if we do catch them” and “I don’t know why they ride in town here why don’t they ride around Joel Blvd?” Really?
It really is very simple and like it or not…illegal activity is just that…ILLEGAL!
If you own a LICENSED, LEGAL recreational vehicle it is YOUR responsibility to know the laws and abide by them at all times. It’s really pretty simple and if law enforcement won’t say it I will: riding on/in county canal and the paths adjacent to them is against the law; riding on someone else’s (private) property without permission is against the law; riding an unlicensed dirt bike on the roads is illegal; riding and damaging private property adjacent to SR 82 is against the law.
Sheriff Scott we need help out here. Assign deputies to enforce traffic laws along our canals and instruct your deputies to ticket offenders when they are caught. Hit them in the pocketbook. Confiscate the machine if it is not legally registered or licensed. Education is the key so pleading ignorance of the laws can no longer “get them off the hook”. Create billboards and electronic signs as well as mailed notices to educate residents of the laws.
Yes we have a crime issue in Lehigh Acres. And the riders who disrespect and damage the property of others and disobey the laws are just as much of a problem as the bank robber. Sorry one “crime” is not worse than another.
A Lehigh Acres Resident and Voter
As I started reading this letter I had to continue. We too have the same problem. We also live by a canal in Lehigh and the dirt bikes are annoying. We have had signs installed stating that there should be no vehicles on the canals. Not only do we have ATVs, dirt bikes, people will drive their vehicle along the canal and take it as a short cut. They have done this for so long that there is no longer grass there, just dirt. We have also contacted the Sheriff’s office, to no avail. I would also like to see the Sheriff’s office patrol the canals in search of these offenders. We need help in Lehigh. Thank you to the author for saying exactly what I’ve been saying all along.
And the funding for this additional activity is coming from where? I know, let’s tap into the excess fire district funds. It too is a government agency.
This is a problem in all of leehigh acres here on Lee st they ride everywhere even in the road.I have seen Lee county Sheriff’s autos drive right past them.