400exbiggun
06-27-2003, 12:51 PM
just found this, and figured i'd share, this it to all the morons (no offense) who think they can get away from anything. Don't know if it was already posted.....sorry its so long...
ATV RIDERS A HAZARD FOR STATE'S CONSERVATION OFFICERS
Date: 030626
From: http://pressofatlanticcity.com/
By Luis Puga, Staff Writer, (856) 794-5111
Press of Atlantic City, June 26, 2003
Vineland - Tracy Stites' plans for this summer changed in an instant.
For the conservation officer struck by an ATV in mid-May, this summer
was supposed to be the one when he fixed the jeep with his son. He
also planned on a vacation and fishing trips, but not six weeks in a
wheelchair and rehabilitation for both his legs.
"That's what ran through my head (after I got run over)," he said
Tuesday. "I got mad about all the things I wanted to do."
Stites is one of many conservation officers who have had a run in
with an off-road vehicle on public lands.
According to Jack Kaskey, a state Department of Environmental
Protection spokesman, there have been 161 incidents since January when
conservation officers have had to dodge off-road vehicles such as the
all-terrain vehicle that struck Stites. In four cases, officers were
struck and injured.
Stites, 38 of Alloway Township, went bike shopping Tuesday.
It was a surprise from his fellow officers who knew some low-impact
exercise would be good for their injured friend once he becomes mobile
again.
At Ed's Bike Shop on North Delsea Drive, Stites discussed his options
with owner Edward Abbott, who is donating the bicycle.
On Tuesday, he couldn't get fitted for the bike, because he's still
can't stand.
For Stites, the bike was a welcome surprise and he was all smiles as
he navigated his wheelchair up and down the store's aisles. It wasn't
easy. His two legs protruded outward, locked into extended positions.
The left leg, where he took the brunt of the 50 mph collision with
the four-wheeled ATV now has a titanium rod that does the work of
bones in his leg. His right knee has two torn ligaments.
"I am a firm believer in a positive attitude," he said. "The mind is
a powerful thing. I am determined to be back the way I was."
Stites said his doctors are positive about his recovery. By next
week, he may be able to put weight on his legs, but to what degree is
uncertain, as is the timeline.
His injuries came from a May 18 incident.
Stites said he and two other officers were responding to complaints
about ATV riders in the Clark's Pond Wildlife Management Area.
The ATV and motorcycle riders were spotted and waived down, but they
ignored the officers, who have the same legal authority as police
officers.
"It's getting more dangerous for all law enforcement," Stites said.
"There's no respect. To the ATV riders, a few them, it's part of the
thrill to try and get away."
The two riders headed for a private nearby field and the officers
followed. Then they heard their engines on a local farm road, and
Stiles, in full uniform, ordered them to stop.
"He was going so fast," Stiles said. "I hardly had time to react or
jump out of the way."
At 50 mph, the collision with the ATV sent Stiles flying 32 feet. He
was taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.
Officer Todd Bowen arrested the two riders. The ATV rider, 23-year-
old Kevin Still, of Bridgeton, was charged with aggravated assault and
destruction of agricultural lands.
He and the motorcycle rider, 22-year-old Brian Earnest, of Bridgeton,
were both charged with eluding, trespassing on agricultural land,
hindering apprehension, interference, driving an unregistered ATV,
failure to display proper registrations, operating an ATV on private
property without permission, and failure to comply with the direction
of a law enforcement officer.
Both are still in jail, which Kaskey said he wants to emphasize to
riders.
"The (DEP) commissioner (Brad Campbell) has a zero-tolerance policy
for riding off-road vehicles on state land," Kaskey said. "Our
enforcement officers are actively conducting enforcement sweeps."
Kaskey admitted it's a duty that he'd rather not see conservation
officers have to do. Rather, they should be preoccupied with their
duties of land management, enforcing hunting regulations and
reforestation efforts.
He noted that over Memorial Day weekend, conservation officers served
56 summonses at the Forked River Mountain and Greenwood Wildlife
management areas in Ocean County.
"It's a huge burden on a limited work force and limited state
resources," Kaskey said. "They are taking time away from the other
duties conservation officers perform to do this."
The danger to officers is not the only concern. Such riding destroys
habitats and creates wide trails through pristine lands. Nothing grows
on those trails once they are created.
Kaskey said the DEP is looking for sites where riders could be
welcomed.
He said the DEP also wants off-road vehicles to be registered,
required education courses for riders, and have visible
identification, such as license plates.
"A lot of times, if you are riding an off-road vehicle, there's no
unique way of identify it and it's harder to enforce the law," Kaskey
said.
Those changes would require a legislative change and Kaskey said the
DEP is looking for a sponsor for the bill.
For Stites and other officers, it could mean fewer riders, less time
away from duties, and less chance for accidents. But for now, one of
their duties includes dealing with the riders.
"It's part of the job and the inherent risk," Stites said, reflecting
on his collision.
The question is whether it has to be.
>>>>Kaskey said the DEP is looking for sites where riders could be
welcomed.>>>
we will see how this turns out
ATV RIDERS A HAZARD FOR STATE'S CONSERVATION OFFICERS
Date: 030626
From: http://pressofatlanticcity.com/
By Luis Puga, Staff Writer, (856) 794-5111
Press of Atlantic City, June 26, 2003
Vineland - Tracy Stites' plans for this summer changed in an instant.
For the conservation officer struck by an ATV in mid-May, this summer
was supposed to be the one when he fixed the jeep with his son. He
also planned on a vacation and fishing trips, but not six weeks in a
wheelchair and rehabilitation for both his legs.
"That's what ran through my head (after I got run over)," he said
Tuesday. "I got mad about all the things I wanted to do."
Stites is one of many conservation officers who have had a run in
with an off-road vehicle on public lands.
According to Jack Kaskey, a state Department of Environmental
Protection spokesman, there have been 161 incidents since January when
conservation officers have had to dodge off-road vehicles such as the
all-terrain vehicle that struck Stites. In four cases, officers were
struck and injured.
Stites, 38 of Alloway Township, went bike shopping Tuesday.
It was a surprise from his fellow officers who knew some low-impact
exercise would be good for their injured friend once he becomes mobile
again.
At Ed's Bike Shop on North Delsea Drive, Stites discussed his options
with owner Edward Abbott, who is donating the bicycle.
On Tuesday, he couldn't get fitted for the bike, because he's still
can't stand.
For Stites, the bike was a welcome surprise and he was all smiles as
he navigated his wheelchair up and down the store's aisles. It wasn't
easy. His two legs protruded outward, locked into extended positions.
The left leg, where he took the brunt of the 50 mph collision with
the four-wheeled ATV now has a titanium rod that does the work of
bones in his leg. His right knee has two torn ligaments.
"I am a firm believer in a positive attitude," he said. "The mind is
a powerful thing. I am determined to be back the way I was."
Stites said his doctors are positive about his recovery. By next
week, he may be able to put weight on his legs, but to what degree is
uncertain, as is the timeline.
His injuries came from a May 18 incident.
Stites said he and two other officers were responding to complaints
about ATV riders in the Clark's Pond Wildlife Management Area.
The ATV and motorcycle riders were spotted and waived down, but they
ignored the officers, who have the same legal authority as police
officers.
"It's getting more dangerous for all law enforcement," Stites said.
"There's no respect. To the ATV riders, a few them, it's part of the
thrill to try and get away."
The two riders headed for a private nearby field and the officers
followed. Then they heard their engines on a local farm road, and
Stiles, in full uniform, ordered them to stop.
"He was going so fast," Stiles said. "I hardly had time to react or
jump out of the way."
At 50 mph, the collision with the ATV sent Stiles flying 32 feet. He
was taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.
Officer Todd Bowen arrested the two riders. The ATV rider, 23-year-
old Kevin Still, of Bridgeton, was charged with aggravated assault and
destruction of agricultural lands.
He and the motorcycle rider, 22-year-old Brian Earnest, of Bridgeton,
were both charged with eluding, trespassing on agricultural land,
hindering apprehension, interference, driving an unregistered ATV,
failure to display proper registrations, operating an ATV on private
property without permission, and failure to comply with the direction
of a law enforcement officer.
Both are still in jail, which Kaskey said he wants to emphasize to
riders.
"The (DEP) commissioner (Brad Campbell) has a zero-tolerance policy
for riding off-road vehicles on state land," Kaskey said. "Our
enforcement officers are actively conducting enforcement sweeps."
Kaskey admitted it's a duty that he'd rather not see conservation
officers have to do. Rather, they should be preoccupied with their
duties of land management, enforcing hunting regulations and
reforestation efforts.
He noted that over Memorial Day weekend, conservation officers served
56 summonses at the Forked River Mountain and Greenwood Wildlife
management areas in Ocean County.
"It's a huge burden on a limited work force and limited state
resources," Kaskey said. "They are taking time away from the other
duties conservation officers perform to do this."
The danger to officers is not the only concern. Such riding destroys
habitats and creates wide trails through pristine lands. Nothing grows
on those trails once they are created.
Kaskey said the DEP is looking for sites where riders could be
welcomed.
He said the DEP also wants off-road vehicles to be registered,
required education courses for riders, and have visible
identification, such as license plates.
"A lot of times, if you are riding an off-road vehicle, there's no
unique way of identify it and it's harder to enforce the law," Kaskey
said.
Those changes would require a legislative change and Kaskey said the
DEP is looking for a sponsor for the bill.
For Stites and other officers, it could mean fewer riders, less time
away from duties, and less chance for accidents. But for now, one of
their duties includes dealing with the riders.
"It's part of the job and the inherent risk," Stites said, reflecting
on his collision.
The question is whether it has to be.
>>>>Kaskey said the DEP is looking for sites where riders could be
welcomed.>>>
we will see how this turns out