Sheriff’s Team Serves as Off-Road Warriors

On any given day, as many as eight officers from the East Valley station of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department transform into off-road warriors, clad in black plastic vests, knee and elbow pads, black nylon pants, white long-sleeved shirts, helmets and goggles.

The officers, part of the Off-Road Enforcement Detail, wear the uniforms for protection from rocks and brush while patrolling on their purple and yellow Suzuki DR 350 motorcycles.

Although Thousand Oaks has abundant open space that could be considered a haven for off-road motorists, it is illegal for any vehicle to go off-road in the Conejo Valley.

Riding dirt bikes is a hobby the detail’s eight officers have pursued for most of their lives, which helped them pass the rigorous motorcycle skill requirements for being a member of the detail. They don’t see anything wrong with off-roading, when it’s legal.

“We just want people riding responsibly,” Sgt. Ron Tusi said. “We’re an enforcement detail focused on educating riders.”

The off-road team has no set schedule; officers patrol throughout the day year-round. During the summer, off-roading by motorcycles, 4-by-4 trucks and dune buggies is much more prevalent at night when the weather cools down, said Deputy Mike McNay.

“When it rains, a lot of people take their trucks out and drive through the mud,” he said.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department has had an off-road unit patrolling private land and open space for 20 years. Off-roading was once allowed by private landowners until users began leaving garbage behind. Because of the littering problem, many private landowners have asked the Sheriff’s Department for help in keeping their property clean.

Off-roading can also be dangerous.

“Depending on the bikes, things out of the exhaust can cause fires,” said Deputy Joseph Lyons.

When an officer stops an off-roader, the officer informs the motorist that off-roading is not allowed in Thousand Oaks or any part of Ventura County, and his or her name is put on a list of people who have been stopped for off-roading.

If a motorist is stopped a second time, a citation is issued.