Stockton police seek to address reckless off

Stockton police urge public to keep off-road vehicles off city streets

Stockton police urge public to keep off-road vehicles off city streets

The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox.

Stockton police urge public to keep off-road vehicles off city streets

With the summer heat cranking up, more people are heading out for some outdoor activities, but it's the use of off-road vehicles that the Stockton Police Department is bringing extra attention to.

Police say incidents of off-road vehicles causing safety concerns are on the rise, mostly because they are being used in the wrong places, and at dangerously high speeds.

Dirt bikes, quads, and RZRs have been spotted driving recklessly along city streets and residential neighborhoods.

"When it comes to the city, you’re around a lot of other vehicles — a lot of pedestrians, stop-and-go traffic, traffic lights, children crossing, school zones — those are all factors that make it illegal," said Omer Edhah, a spokesperson for the Stockton Police Department.

But now, Stockton police have assembled their own fleet of street-legal dirt bikes to patrol and combat this issue.

These riders are set to respond to calls and patrol areas where illegal off-road vehicle activity is frequently occurring.

Edhah said there's a time and place for off-road vehicle riding.

"Certain recreational parks for that; there's several in the county," Edhah said. "These places do exist, and if you go to any open land, out in the mountains or something like that, it's open range. You’re more than welcome to ride your equipment out there."

But to do that, police say off-road vehicles must be registered and up to code. That includes having proper lights, a proper exhaust system, turn signals and other safety equipment.

Police also warn that levees are still experiencing some impacts caused by heavy flooding during the winter storms. They are ordering riders to stay away from those levees to prevent possible further damage.

Police said they are enforcing a "zero-tolerance" policy and will be issuing citations to riders for any violations and impounding any illegal off-road vehicles.

The public is urged to call Stockton police and report any dangerous or illegal off-road activity.