Operation Dust Devil update: Deputies educate off-roaders, tow vehicles, cite suspected trespassers

Week 5 Operation Dust Devil update: Sheriff's deputies made over 750 educational contacts with off-roaders, towed vehicles and cited suspected trespassers.
Week 5 Operation Dust Devil update: Sheriff's deputies made over 750 educational contacts with off-roaders, towed vehicles and cited suspected trespassers.

Week five of Operation Dust Devil included hundreds of education contacts, multiple vehicles towed, and numerous citations by sheriff’s deputies.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department reported on Tuesday that deputies patrolled the areas of Summit Valley in Hesperia, Silverwood, and Deep Creek.

Additionally, Apple Valley, El Mirage, Helendale, Juniper Flats, Big Bear and Twin Peaks mountain communities.

Deputies issued 28 California Vehicle Code Citations, made 13 SBC Code Enforcement citations, towed six vehicles, and made one arrest.

They also made 760 educational contacts and assisted with one medical aid.

Riding on private property

On Saturday, deputies came across several large off-road clubs staged on Deep Creek Road and preparing to ride to Big Bear.

Five off-road vehicles were towed that day for operating on public roadways. Numerous citations were issued for not wearing helmets and operating on private property without permission from the property owner.

Several off-highway vehicles ran over small spikes, which appeared to have been left intentionally on the trails in the Juniper Flats area.

Sheriff’s officials are reminding property owners and residents that setting booby traps can be constituted as criminal behavior and can subject them to legal and civil actions.

To report illegal riding in your area, please email OHV@sbcsd.org.

Week 5 Operation Dust Devil update: Sheriff's deputies made over 750 educational contacts with off-roaders, towed vehicles and cited suspected trespassers.
Week 5 Operation Dust Devil update: Sheriff's deputies made over 750 educational contacts with off-roaders, towed vehicles and cited suspected trespassers.

Operation Dust Devil

In December, county supervisors authorized funding to assist county-wide off-highway vehicle enforcement. The money allows the sheriff’s department to increase law enforcement services related to quality-of-life issues affecting the communities in the county.

Operation Dust Devil will take place throughout most of 2023 to encourage safe and responsible off-highway vehicle operation through education and enforcement throughout the county. The operation will focus on off-highway vehicle operations throughout the county’s 20,105 sq. miles.

The operation will include personnel from the department's Off-Highway Vehicle Team and various patrol stations.

Deputies will work with the county's Land Use Services and Code Enforcement, San Bernardino Park Services, Hesperia Park Services, the U.S. Forest Service, California State Parks, and the Bureau of Land Management.

Additionally, the Department of Fish and Game, the National Parks Service, BNSF Police, California Highway Patrol, and the San Bernardino, Rialto, and Colton police departments will also provide support during operations.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Operation Dust Devil: Deputies educate off-roaders, tow vehicles.