![\"\"](\"http:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Atv.jpg\" "\\"Atv\\"")
I have been following, with great interest, the recent discussions regarding the use of ATV\u2019s on private and county property in Lehigh Acres.<\/p>\nI have been following, with great interest, the recent discussions regarding the use of ATV\u2019s on private and county property in Lehigh Acres.<\/p>\n
Let me start off by saying that I am NOT against recreational vehicles!\u00a0 Our children spent many hours enjoying 4-wheelers during their childhood.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 We raised our children to respect the property of others and obey all rules related to the use of their recreational vehicles.<\/p>\n
My experience in Lehigh Acres since moving here several years ago has me shaking my head.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
My home is surrounded on two sides by county canals managed by LA-MSID (Lehigh Acres Municipal District).\u00a0 I also have vacant, privately-owned property on both sides of my home.\u00a0 I drive SR 82 daily as I commute to\/from work.<\/p>\n
There are dirt bikes, ATV\u2019s and 4X4 trucks riding illegally on\/in the canals, private property and roads in my neighborhood and around Lehigh Acres on a daily basis. \u00a0It is my understanding that there are intricate tracks\/paths throughout this area which I have seen on aerial maps.<\/p>\n
I have had contact with many riders riding illegally on private and county property.\u00a0 Most of these discussions have not ended well.\u00a0 I have calmly tried to educate them that riding on private property and county canals is against the law.\u00a0 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.\u00a0\u00a0 Many of them insist that the \u201ctrails\u201d (canals) are there for their enjoyment.\u00a0 I have been told \u201cthis is Lehigh, get used to it\u201d and \u201cif you don\u2019t like it, then move\u201d.\u00a0 Honestly, I\u2019d be lying if I said the thought hasn\u2019t crossed my mind.<\/p>\n
I have followed instructions given to me to call and report this activity to the Lee County Sheriff Office (LCSO) at 477-1000.\u00a0 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\u2019t even enjoy an evening outdoors because of the ATV activity and noise\/pollution that it creates.\u00a0 I have also been disappointed by my contact with some deputies that have responded to my call when they say \u201cthere really is nothing we can do about it\u201d, \u201cit\u2019s only a misdemeanor if we do catch them\u201d and \u201cI don\u2019t know why they ride in town here why don\u2019t they ride around Joel Blvd?\u201d\u00a0 Really?<\/p>\n
It really is very simple and like it or not\u2026illegal activity is just that\u2026ILLEGAL!<\/p>\n
If you own a LICENSED, LEGAL recreational vehicle it is YOUR responsibility to know the laws and abide by them at all times.\u00a0 It\u2019s really pretty simple and if law enforcement won\u2019t say it I will: riding on\/in county canal and the paths adjacent to them is against the law; riding on someone else\u2019s (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.<\/p>\n
Sheriff Scott we need help out here.\u00a0 Assign deputies to enforce traffic laws along our canals and instruct your deputies to ticket offenders when they are caught.\u00a0 Hit them in the pocketbook.\u00a0 Confiscate the machine if it is not legally registered or licensed.\u00a0 Education is the key so pleading ignorance of the laws can no longer \u201cget them off the hook\u201d.\u00a0 Create billboards and electronic signs as well as mailed notices to educate residents of the laws.<\/p>\n
Yes we have a crime issue in Lehigh Acres.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Sorry one \u201ccrime\u201d is not worse than another.<\/p>\n
A Lehigh Acres Resident and Voter<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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