Police pursue ATV training
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
MAURICE RIVER TWP. Those riding ATVs on private property in the area covered by New Jersey State Police are about to have company.
Approximately 10 troopers assigned to the Port Norris barracks in Cumberland County have begun training on proper ATV ridership.
" We're also looking for a grant where we can get ATVs and we hope to get a half dozen," state police Sgt. Ted Murphy said.
Murphy said police are fully aware of the problems caused by ATV use 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."
In Monroe Township where the state has tentative plans to build an official ATV park on parts of a 212-acre parcel it owns there are local regulations in place governing those who ride ATVs on public and private property.
Penalties in Monroe Township mean that police can impound the vehicle if it's driven on public property. Violators are subject to fines of up to $1,000 and either a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail or 90 days of community service.
The township police are trained to ride ATVs so they can track down the other riders who are breaking the rules. Washington Township also has an agreement with Monroe to borrow some of the ATVs for the same purpose.
Advocates for the proposed ATV park say that providing a designated area for riders could minimize the effects on private and public lands, and give the riders a legal place to recreate.
There are a few bills proposed in the legislature that would create stricter regulations for registering and tracking ATVs and their riders.
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