As Operation Dust Devil entered its 7th week, San Bernardino Sheriff Deputies patrolled Victorville, Hesperia, Juniper Flat, Phelan and Apple Valley – issuing 26 California Vehicle Code Violations, 18 California Penal Code violations, and one county code enforcement citation. Three of the vehicles towed were quads being driven on the roadway in the town of Apple Valley.
The majority of enforcement was in the Johnson Valley area where tens of thousands of racing fans have converged for King of the Hammers – one of the largest off-road races and competitions in the United States. The event draws off-roaders to the Johnson Valley area, which includes Soggy Dry Lake and other BLM areas set aside specifically for OHV activities.
Deputies report approximately 5,000 off-roaders were contacted during the Johnson Valley patrol – where they provided educational resources on where you can legally off-road here in the hi-desert..
King of the Hammers continues through this weekend, and its safe to assume Operation Dust Devil patrols will continue in the area. The operation – currently entering its 8th week – aims to curb illegal off-roading in areas where residents have commonly complained about disturbances – that includes residential areas in Landers and Joshua Tree that border OHV area like Sunfair Dry Lake. The operation will continue over the next several months through San Bernardino County’s 20,000 square miles of desert, mountains, and roads that make it one of the best places to kick up some sand on your motorcycle, UTV or 4×4.
