CLEARLAKE ?The Clearlake Police Department is increasing efforts to take illegally driven motorcycles off city streets. The latest effort resulted in the impoundment of three off-road motorcycles, the arrest of one individual and citations issued to another.
“Numerous complaints with motorcycles have been an ongoing problem so we decided to deal with it by increasing enforcement and attempts to identify the drivers,” said Lt. Mike Hermann. “Our ultimate goal is to take those motorcycles off the road. If we catch them and they are not legally registered or licensed, we can take them off the road.”
Craig Allen Fenno Jr., 20, of Clearlake was arrested on Saturday following a traffic stop on Konocti Road. Fenno was found to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest and a suspended driver”s license. He was arrested and his off-road motorcycle, which he had been caught, driving illegally within city limits, was impounded.
Tyler Kirwin, 21, was also caught driving an off-road motorcycle within city limits. When he was stopped near Burns Valley Road he was also found to be unlicensed and on active parole. Kirwin”s vehicle was impounded and in addition to citations being issued, a report will also be forwarded to his parole officer.
In a third incident, the operator of a dirt bike evaded officers on Burns Valley Road. While searching the area for the bike and rider, officers located a red and white Honda 250 dirt bike on Polk Avenue. Upon inspection of the vehicle officers discovered that the bike”s vehicle identification number (VIN) had been altered and removed. The motorcycle was impounded and investigation of the incident continues.
“In the past, when we have received reports of loud and reckless motorcycles, we would check the area and attempt extra patrols in order to catch them in the act. However, due to growing nature of the problem, we feel it is now necessary to make every attempt possible to locate the bikes and identify the drivers,” Lt. Hermann said. “While most dirt bike riders are considerate of the laws, some appear to have the opinion that they only need to avoid getting caught. It is our intention to target those groups of riders.”
According to Lt. Hermann, the majority of complaints have been concentrated in the Chapman Tract in the avenues east of State Route 53. Many complaints have also been received in the area of Burns Valley Road. The complaints, he said, primarily involve excessive speed and noise.
“A lot of these motorcycles are being driven on city streets at high rates of speed in unsafe manners,” Lt. Hermann said.
In order for vehicles to be registered for legal use on public roadways it must be properly equipped. Dirt bikes, which often lack equipment such as turn signals and lights, are registered for off-road use only. Lt. Hermann said that it is illegal to operate a dirt bike on all city roads, paved or unpaved. “They are all city streets,” he said.
According to a press release issued by the Clearlake Police Department, officers will be continuing efforts to locate the motorcycles and identify the drivers. Once located, motorcycles that are being operated in an illegal manner will be impounded and the drivers will be charged. Even in cases where the drivers may elude capture, charges can still be filed against them as they are identified.
Citizens are encouraged to contact the department at 994-8251 with any information on the stored locations of the motorcycles or their drivers.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
