Unhappy New Year for ATV riders
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
By SANDRA JOHNSON
and JEAN JONES
sjohnson@sjnewsco.com
jeanjones@fast.net
DOWNE TWP. -- Those riding ATVs on private property in the area covered by New Jersey State Police are about to have company.
The crackdown came just in time.
Seven county men were arrested for trespassing with ATVs on private property south of Railroad Avenue on New Year's Day, according to reports from state police at Port Norris barracks.
The men were all charged with criminal trespass complaints and numerous motor vehicle violations: Vineland residents Wilfredo Ortiz, 35, of Chestnut Terrace; Angel L. Velez, 32, East Butler Avenue; Angel L. Kelly, 36, of West Grape Street; Victor M. Rodriguez, 27, of South East Boulevard; Javier Marrero, 34, of Steward Street; Juan Gonzalez Jr., 26, of Ewan Terrace; and John K. Gonzalez, 26, of Faison Lane, Fairfield Township.
Police got a call from the property owner, MG Son's LLC and Bear Swamp Properties, Inc. (the former U.S. Silica sandplant), that a number of ATVs were on the land, clearly marked as a no trespassing area.
When police arrived, the seven men tried to elude them, but did not succeed.
All were arrested and their ATVs were taken from the property and impounded.
The seven men were released, pending court in Downe Township.
Sgt. Ted Murphy recently announced the ATV initiative at a Maurice River Township committee meeting.
"Ten troopers from the Port Norris barracks started taking training last month on how to operate ATVs in an official capacity. We're also looking for a grant where we can get ATVs and we hope to get a half dozen," Murphy said.
Murphy said police are fully aware of the problems caused by ATVs in the rural areas.
"If they don't see no trespassing' signs, they take it as an invitation," he said. "It's a quality-of-life issue, especially on weekends."
A Milmay resident complained about a large number of ATV riders who hang out on Cannon Range Road, and a vicious dog which charged his vehicle and dented the side, to the tune of $1,700 damage.
Construction Official Gordon Gross, who was present at the meeting, said he is familiar with the residence in question and placarded the house as unfit for human habitation and disconnected a camper in which people were living. He said the owner had received a permit for a disaster relief mobile home.
In other township business, Edward Salmon, of Salmon Ventures, reported that negotiations with Comcast, in which he is representing the township, are near the end.
"It has been a long and deliberate process," Salmon said. "Comcast is preparing a draft for review."
Comcast has agreed to provide service for Barth Road and Leesburg-Belleplain Road, both areas previously unserved.
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