Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – Law enforcement has been busy in recent weeks answering calls from residents upset by the continued misuse of property and area roadways by individuals riding a variety of recreational vehicles.
Summer is a time for fun recreational activities including the use of ATVs and dirt bikes. But when riders choose to disregard the laws and rights of others, it can lead to damage to personal property, injury or worse. The Presque Isle Police Department has received numerous reports over the past two weeks involving drivers of ATVs and dirt bikes traveling too fast, driving dangerously, making too much noise and traveling where they shouldn’t, including on private property. Callers have reported machines doing wheelies, traveling too fast in residential neighborhoods and other reckless behaviors.
Reports have been made of machines being driven erratically on the bike path, in parking lots, on the roads and on private property. Police and members of the Warden Service have been working to address these concerns, but the activities have continued.
“Roads are the only access for getting to area trails and aren’t meant for everyday running around. Riders must keep off sidewalks and private property, unless they’ve received authorization from the landowner,” said Richard Howlett, president of the Star City ATV Club.
Howlett said the club works with area landowners, obtaining permission for club members to access trails on privately-owned land. The club works closely with the city of Presque Isle as well. The club also maintains trails throughout the Star City, both on private and public land.
Police have found over the years that the offenders usually are not members of an ATV club.
“We’ve found people who join clubs tend to respect the trails and respect landowners’ and their property. It’s the lone individual or often younger riders that are the problem,” said Sgt. Joey Seeley, of the PIPD.
Recent entries in the PIPD log confirm the riders involved in some of the recent incidents have been younger, ranging from mid-teens to early 20s.
Seeley and other members of the PIPD actively patrol the trails using the department’s ATV.
Of late however, the problem hasn’t been on area trails. One person causing a problem can make it difficult for law-abiding riders to have access to private lands.
For one local landowner, the problem has progressively gotten worse as summer months pass.
“Some nice four-wheelers have been doing spinouts on the gravel part of the trail and my field roads off and on all summer. Now they’re doing it on my lawn next to the trail,” said Paul Cyr, a Presque Isle resident whose property hosts one of the major trail arteries in the area.
Cyr said the noise level has increased as well.
“The situation is getting out of hand,” said Cyr. “I don’t mind folks stopping along the trail for a break, but it’s the damage and noise that’s the problem.”
Where once there was lawn, Cyr said ATVs have spun ruts, leaving bare dirt patches in some areas. Such misuse could lead landowners like Cyr to discontinue access to trails on their property.
Chief Naldo Gagnon, of the PIPD, said the department continues to respond to calls and has stepped up efforts to stop offenders.
“We’ve added patrols in the areas we’ve received the complaints from,” said Gagnon.
State officials encourage the proper use of such equipment.
“Much of the land that riders access is privately owned. How you conduct yourself may well determine whether the sport survives or becomes highly restricted. By working together, we can make sure that the sport grows to its potential,” said Roland “Dan” Martin, commissioner of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
Martin encourages riders to “foster good relationships with landowners.”
“Always seek permission before accessing someone else’s property if it is not an established and recognized trial. Stay on defined trails while riding to prevent damage to adjoining land. Avoid aggressive starts and abrupt stops because it is dangerous to the operator and other riders and because those actions promote ruts that landowners really dislike,” said Martin.
Martin encourages anyone who knows of someone violating ATV laws intentionally to report them to a game warden or other law enforcement officer.
Free law books for proper ATV use can be obtained at city and town offices, at some sporting goods stores and from any office of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Information can also be obtained online at www.maine.gov/ifw. The Presque Isle Police Department and the SCATV periodically offer ATV safety courses.
For more information or to report a problem, contact the PIPD at 764-4476.
Photo courtesy of Paul Cyr
BARE SPOTS are beginning to sprout up on this lawn instead of grass, where ATVers have repeatedly spun their tires on private property, although a clearly-marked trail is just feet away. Property owners have reported more errant riders to law enforcement in recent weeks, resulting in increased patrols in affected neighborhoods.
