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Motocross

Illegally Trespassing-Terrain Vehicles — a Crime that Hurts Many

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All-Terrain Vehicle riding is a fun and enjoyable experience. Most riders are respectful of the laws regarding ATV riding, but some are not.  ATV riding in places prohibited is Illegal Trespassing.  It is a crime that hurts many and in many ways that are not obvious

 

The Illegal Trespassing of ATVs is an ongoing nuisance for city Parks & Recreation Departments, costing them a plethora of resources.  Manpower is needed to repair the environmental destruction, security officers are hired for hours on end to patrol the landscape, and the police department is called to report the crimes and identify the trespassers.  According to the Department of Natural Resources in an article by the StarTribune, the expenses cost $450,000 in just a few years.

 

In addition to the rising costs of damages to the city caused by the Illegal Trespassing of ATVs, homeowners with land are not a stranger to this growing problem, according to one landowner who brought this to the attention of CBC news. Wildlife habitats are also harmed by a trespassing ATV carelessly riding over their homes and destroying their fragile ecosystems.  In addition to all of this, the community water resources are polluted if an ATV decides to illegally cruise along the water supplies!

 

Furthermore, budgets for damages are not the only pains caused by ATV trespassers that city organizations need to worry about.  A simple budget of $100,000 for ATV trespassers could quickly turn into several medical expenses added to the overall cost.   For instance, a CantoRep.com article states a security guard working for Osnabug Township had to remain in the hospital while suffering from severe road rash, after being dragged by an illegally trespassing ATV.

 

The Illegal Trespassers may not understand the damage and hurt they cause.  If people do not understand the problem, how can City Parks and Recreation Departments prevent this crime that hurts many?

Parks- Prevent Illegal Activity at the Pool

Parks- Prevent Illegal Activity at the Pool

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Spring is in the air, and summer is just around the corner.  Is your Parks and Recreation Center ready for the influx of pool attendees of the newly remodeled pool?  What about after hours?  Does the pool area have adequate protections, such as fencing and alarms, to keep mischief away before it turns into a tragedy?

According to the Red Cross, “over 200 young children drown in backyard swimming pools each year.”  And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states, “Every day, about ten people die from unintentional drowning.”, CDCP also states, “non fatal drowning injuries can cause severe brain damage.” Every death and accident is a tragedy but even more so if it could have been prevented.

When summer heat is upon us, everybody will be heading to the pool.  And when the crowd goes home, the teens find their way back, still looking for relief from the summer heat.  They will be jumping the fences and thinking it is an adventure to swim in the dark of the shadows.  Sometimes this illegal trespassing activity will include alcohol, which will most likely increase the chance that someone will get hurt.

Some protections that will help include:

  • Signs: Warnings posted that trespassing is illegal
  • Fencing: High enough that will deter most intruders
  • Lighting: To expose the illegal activity
  • Alarms: To scare the intruder away and bring awareness to the illegal activity
  • Cameras: To capture the intruders on film to deter the illegal activity or if needed prosecute

 

  • The deterrent features should change the behavior of anyone seeking adventure, making the illegal activity not so “fun”.

What safety deterrent features does your pool have?  Is your pool ready for the summer rush? Don’t let the illegal trespassing risk ruin your summer.  Learn what you can do to Protect your Pool and prevent illegal activity.