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Deputies work to crack down on ATV riders in Lehigh Acres

Posted at 7:38 AM, Feb 25, 2018
and last updated 2018-02-25 07:45:21-05

After months of complaints from local residents about the number of all-terrain vehicles in Lehigh Acres, The Lee County Sheriffs' Office and the Lehigh Acres Municipal Services District have teamed up to crack down on people driving their ATVs on private and state property.

Micheal Welch is a Commissioner with the Lehigh Acres Municipal Services District. He's been following the problem for some time and has noticed how much of an inconvenience illegal ATV riding has been in the community. 

"It's probably one of the most complained about, concerning issue burning in Lehigh Acres", he told Four In Your Corner. 

On Saturday he joined the Lee County Sheriff's Office and other people working for the Municipal Services District as they looked for ATV riders trespassing on state land. 

Four In Your Corner was there as several ATV riders were caught and issued a warning. But for Welch, the trespassing on private property is not the only concern he has when it comes to ATV riders. 

"We're certainly worried about casualties and other tragedies that can be prevented."

Welch's concern comes from the number of young children he's seen riding on the back of all-terrain vehicles without any protective gear. His concern is that the high speeds of the ATVs might cause them to be hurt or worse. 

For now Welch, and the other organizations working on this initiative, are simply hoping for a safer outcome overall for riders in the area.