Santee has become the latest city in San Diego County to crack down on e-bike violations, following a series of late-night incidents, safety concerns and recent crashes involving riders and cars. The Santee Sheriff’s Station conducted an enforcement operation last Thursday, issuing 12 citations and confiscating 10 electric motorcycles. Deputies also made roughly 100 public contacts, providing riders and parents with educational materials focused on safe riding and compliance with the law. The increased enforcement comes after residents reported troubling behavior involving e-bike riders in neighborhoods. Santee resident Jeremy Zaleski said he captured video of one incident just after midnight on March 22 using a Ring camera at his home. The footage shows a masked rider on his front porch ringing the doorbell, performing a wheelie and riding off with a group of e-bikers. Nearby homes recorded similar activity. “I feel unsafe, concerned, these actions are getting worse and worse, they’re going from riding down busy streets, doing wheelies in traffic, to now they’re riding up in front yards… it’s concerning,” Zaleski said. Zaleski said the behavior goes beyond harmless pranks. “These kids think they’re all pranks but they can get dangerous real quick. Real life actions have real life consequences, the next neighbor might not be as kind as I was and just call the sheriff, they might take things into their own hands,” Zaleski said. He added that the late-night incidents — involving riders dressed in dark clothing and covering their faces — feel more serious than typical juvenile behavior. “Next time it might not be a prank, they might push the boundary and decide to come into somebody’s house then it’s another issue. The homeowner could be armed and these kids could meet the wrong home owner, it’s concerning. They don’t know whos’ behind that door they ride up on, it’s a dangerous game they’re playing,” Zaleski said. Zaleski said he supports the sheriff’s department’s enforcement efforts and hopes the consequences will deter dangerous behavior. “I’m glad to hear it, glad to hear they’re finally cracking down and kids will understand consequences of their actions. Impounding bike, imposing fines, these kids are going to learn one way or the other,” Zaleski said. This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication. ...read more read less