ILLEGAL BIKERS COPS' TARGETS OFF-ROADERS RIDE IN OFF-LIMITS AREAS.

Byline: Patricia Farrell Aidem Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - More than 300 off-road riders were cited in the past year and 500 more warned for various violations under a Santa Clarita Valley enforcement program approved Tuesday for expansion.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a Sheriff's Department recommendation to apply for an $87,000 grant from the state Department of Parks and Recreation. The city and other sources cover the balance of the $209,600 it costs to patrol outlying areas favored by off-road riders.

``Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great sport, a great thing for the family, as long as you do it legally,'' sheriff's Sgt. Roger Wallace said.

Violations range from failing to wear the proper safety gear to riding motorcycles without spark arresters in fire-prone areas, Wallace said. Last month, three people were arrested for destroying the habitat of endangered species by four-wheel driving in the Santa Clara River bed, sheriff's Sgt. Roger Wallace said.

``We get about 25 complaints a week from property owners and residents about illegal motorcycles on private property or generally where they're not supposed to be,'' Wallace said. ``They trespass on private property, ride in closed areas of the (Angeles) National Forest. About 25 percent of the motorcycles we stop do not have spark arresters. That's a huge problem. The potential is certainly there to start a fire.''

Violations are increasing as the Santa Clarita Valley grows. Sales of off-highway vehicles are booming, he said.

And housing development into Santa Clarita's hillsides is creating accesses to wilderness areas.

``People are under the misconception you can ride in vacant areas, you can ride in the wash,'' Wallace said. ``You have to ride in approved areas. Education is a large component of this program.''