GONZALES – The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office sent a warning to recreational, all-terrain vehicle operators Tuesday: stay off sidewalks and neighborhood streets.

ATVs “should not operate… on subdivision roadways and sidewalks,” Sheriff Bobby Webre wrote in a message posted on the agency’s Facebook page.

People caught riding them will be warned and the sheriff eluded to stricter enforcement if things get worse.

“I am asking for your assistance before any problems arise,” he wrote.

Sheriff’s deputies will be watching for ATVs driving in areas where they are forbidden and the sheriff’s department asked for help from parish HOAs in policing the policy.

While the post did not elaborate on why the warning was just posted, it comes after a nasty crash earlier this year and complaints from citizens.

In February, a teenager was injured in a mishap with an ATV. Sources told WBRZ at the time, a group of youngsters were riding the vehicle and wrecked. One of the teenagers had to be rushed to the hospital.

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