Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Grant will fuel ORV patrol
By Mark Wheeler / Hi-Desert Star
YUCCA VALLEY - Sgt. Dale Mondary from the county sheriff's office introduced about 25 people last Tuesday night to his station's plan for spending a recently received $34,000 grant on off-road vehicle control in Yucca Valley this year.
Noting the money was only enough to pay for part-time enforcement, the officer said some of the money would also be spent for educational brochures, property signs and public school contacts in an effort to extend the grant's impact on illegal riding practices.
The grant received by the station comes from state ORV license fees, and is only enough to pay for weekend patrols by volunteer officers working overtime.
Given the limitations, Mondary stressed how important it is for the public and his station to work cooperatively. To that end, he gave advice on how to file a timely and informative report, and asked those present for suggestions where the OHV team might concentrate its efforts for most effective results.
Wonder Valley resident and member of Community ORV Watch Phil Klasky made his group's resources available to everyone present. This included a detailed description of how to file a complaint and document trespass. In addition, he stressed the need for large signs in strategic locations informing riders that much of the Basin is an ORV enforcement area, primarily consisting in private properties, and public lands not open to ORV use.
Since Yucca Valley is a stakeholder in the grant and will be the geographical target of its impacts, most of the discussion focussed on the town.
Town council member Bob Leone was present and described a program he has been working on to post reduced speeds on dirt roads within the town limits. Official posting, he explained, would allow police to enforce the California Vehicle Code there. The money for this, he told his listeners, has been available for some time, but the matter must come before the council for its deliberation.
Whereas the citizens were pleased to hear of Leone's efforts, they wondered why it was taking so long for the council to act, considering the funding was already in hand.
Tired of the noise and dust, of the private property trespass, public land destruction and reckless, illegal riding behavior, the residents were more than cooperative with their suggestions where the ORV team might concentrate its patrol.
They were excited to hear of the two-day conference scheduled for Feb. 26 and 27 in Joshua Tree which has been organized by a collaborative of public and private groups, and which will give them an opportunity to join with others in pursuit of solutions.
For information on the conference, "Desert Communities Under Siege," call 361-0442.
Noting the money was only enough to pay for part-time enforcement, the officer said some of the money would also be spent for educational brochures, property signs and public school contacts in an effort to extend the grant's impact on illegal riding practices.
The grant received by the station comes from state ORV license fees, and is only enough to pay for weekend patrols by volunteer officers working overtime.
Given the limitations, Mondary stressed how important it is for the public and his station to work cooperatively. To that end, he gave advice on how to file a timely and informative report, and asked those present for suggestions where the OHV team might concentrate its efforts for most effective results.
Wonder Valley resident and member of Community ORV Watch Phil Klasky made his group's resources available to everyone present. This included a detailed description of how to file a complaint and document trespass. In addition, he stressed the need for large signs in strategic locations informing riders that much of the Basin is an ORV enforcement area, primarily consisting in private properties, and public lands not open to ORV use.
Since Yucca Valley is a stakeholder in the grant and will be the geographical target of its impacts, most of the discussion focussed on the town.
Town council member Bob Leone was present and described a program he has been working on to post reduced speeds on dirt roads within the town limits. Official posting, he explained, would allow police to enforce the California Vehicle Code there. The money for this, he told his listeners, has been available for some time, but the matter must come before the council for its deliberation.
Whereas the citizens were pleased to hear of Leone's efforts, they wondered why it was taking so long for the council to act, considering the funding was already in hand.
Tired of the noise and dust, of the private property trespass, public land destruction and reckless, illegal riding behavior, the residents were more than cooperative with their suggestions where the ORV team might concentrate its patrol.
They were excited to hear of the two-day conference scheduled for Feb. 26 and 27 in Joshua Tree which has been organized by a collaborative of public and private groups, and which will give them an opportunity to join with others in pursuit of solutions.
For information on the conference, "Desert Communities Under Siege," call 361-0442.
 |
 |
|
| Judge denies killer's request to change plea | Suspect's daughter: 'They told me they killed Bob' |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of hidesertstar.com.
You must register with a valid email to gain access to this site feature.
Already a Member?Login Here:
|
Become a Registered MemberFill out the form below.
|
RSS
GGWebGrrl wrote on Jan 17, 2009 1:59 PM: