LAKE ELSINORE -- With vandalism and theft on the rise, local law enforcement is cracking down on off-road vehicles.

More than $13,000 in damage has been reported in the wash area that intersects Palomar Street, adjacent to Skylark Airport. Police Officer Doug Monte said the culprits are owners of off-road vehicles and motorcyles, who have broken down the perimeter fence that keeps vehicles off the Pribble Family Trust acreage.

"We've already have more than 270 names in our database," Monte said. "We're giving some people … just a warning, but if they're in our database, they'll be getting a ticket."

As part of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department Off-highway Vehicle Enforcement Program, Monte and his four-member team set up a command base on the corner of Palomar Street and Skylark Drive on Saturday. With a grant from California State Parks, the team purchased four off-road vehicles and a 20-foot-long trailer to aid in their efforts to stop the vandalism and trespassing.

Already, Monte has issued a $75 ticket to a person who vandalized the fence and got onto the property. But Carl Gulledge, manager of Skydive Elsinore, which operates out of Skylark Airport, said he felt the penalty should be stiffer.

"I'm glad they caught the guy," said Gulledge. "But, hey, I spend seventy-five bucks on a sushi dinner -- c'mon!"

Gulledge said he's experienced vandalism problems for the last eight years, but there's been a lot more lately. Although vandals can't use the gas from his planes because they use jet fuel, Gulledge said people have been syphoning fuel from the other side of the airport where the gliders are. He's also had to divert flights because of the vehicles riding on the runway.

"I've had lights stolen off my property, and every night, cars are doing donuts on the taxi ways and up and down the runways," he said. "They're also stealing parts off the airplanes."

Saturday was the first time Monte and his team set up a command post at the Skylark Drive and Palomar Street location. He said that, by handing out off-road site maps, he hoped their efforts would be educational as well as provide enforcement.

Ortencia Hill and her family have lived next to the wash on Skylark Drive for more than seven years and found Monte's efforts encouraging.

"I don't mind them (the officers) here," she said, watching the team take off on two of the vehicles. "During the summer, there's a lot of motorcycles here and it always makes my dog bark."

Monte said that with the increasing amount of homes being built, the line has been drawn in the sand. The Skylark Airport problem is in the top three of 20 problem areas targeted throughout the Lake Elsinore area.

"At first, we came across people who were from out of town," said Monte. "Now the locals are the hardest nut to crack because they feel they have a right to be here."

Gulledge said the culprits are so obstinate that he's almost come to blows with them.

"They honestly feel they have a right to trespass," he said. "I've had people tell me things like they've been here for 15 years, and no one is going to throw them off. Even if they're caught, they still feel vindicated that they can do it."