News (Media Awareness Project) - Canada: RCMP Plan Raid On Rowdy Campers |
| Title: | Canada: RCMP Plan Raid On Rowdy Campers |
| Published On: | 1999-08-16 |
| Source: | Calgary Herald (Canada) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-05 23:32:40 |
RCMP PLAN RAID ON ROWDY CAMPERS
Waiparous Crime Crackdown To Be Held By Summer'S End
Alberta RCMP and provincial conservation officers plan a large-scale
crackdown on crime in the controversial Waiparous wilderness area
northwest of Calgary.
The operation will be held by summer's end on an undisclosed date,
said a Herald source in the Alberta natural resources department.
On holiday weekends, up to 15,000 campers descend on the
1,400-square-kilometre Waiparous region north of Cochrane, about 60
kilometres from Calgary.
Most of those campers are law-abiding and responsible, but "lawless"
behaviour has become so rampant that a government-sponsored committee
has been struck to deal with the issue. Illegal activities include
drug use, property damage, littering, drunk driving and reckless
operation of off-road vehicles.
Marijuana stands have also been set up in the region.
"Any enhancement of law enforcement for that area will be welcomed by
everyone involved," Coun. Bob Taylor of the Municipal District of
Bighorn said Sunday.
Taylor, who sits on the committee, said he's heard talk of a major
crackdown, but doesn't know any details.
Taylor said a crackdown would allow legal authorities to "be able to
re-establish their presence in the area." However, he said he hoped
any initial crackdown would be followed by a "consistent presence."
Earlier this month, Environment Minister Gary Mar vowed to crack down
on rowdy campers in the Waiparous region. "I'm angry that so few
people there ruin things for a lot of people," Mar said.
Waiparous contains 180 kilometres of provincially designated 4 x 4
trails, and is considered one of Alberta's best areas for off-highway
vehicles.
A number of Calgary and area off-road vehicle clubs have also been
calling for more enforcement in the area, claiming it's only a tiny
percentage of drivers who unfairly paint all four-wheelers with the
same brush.
Lisa Hodges, president of the Alberta United Recreationists Society,
said recently that her organization promotes a code of ethics for
responsible off-road use.
Waiparous Crime Crackdown To Be Held By Summer'S End
Alberta RCMP and provincial conservation officers plan a large-scale
crackdown on crime in the controversial Waiparous wilderness area
northwest of Calgary.
The operation will be held by summer's end on an undisclosed date,
said a Herald source in the Alberta natural resources department.
On holiday weekends, up to 15,000 campers descend on the
1,400-square-kilometre Waiparous region north of Cochrane, about 60
kilometres from Calgary.
Most of those campers are law-abiding and responsible, but "lawless"
behaviour has become so rampant that a government-sponsored committee
has been struck to deal with the issue. Illegal activities include
drug use, property damage, littering, drunk driving and reckless
operation of off-road vehicles.
Marijuana stands have also been set up in the region.
"Any enhancement of law enforcement for that area will be welcomed by
everyone involved," Coun. Bob Taylor of the Municipal District of
Bighorn said Sunday.
Taylor, who sits on the committee, said he's heard talk of a major
crackdown, but doesn't know any details.
Taylor said a crackdown would allow legal authorities to "be able to
re-establish their presence in the area." However, he said he hoped
any initial crackdown would be followed by a "consistent presence."
Earlier this month, Environment Minister Gary Mar vowed to crack down
on rowdy campers in the Waiparous region. "I'm angry that so few
people there ruin things for a lot of people," Mar said.
Waiparous contains 180 kilometres of provincially designated 4 x 4
trails, and is considered one of Alberta's best areas for off-highway
vehicles.
A number of Calgary and area off-road vehicle clubs have also been
calling for more enforcement in the area, claiming it's only a tiny
percentage of drivers who unfairly paint all four-wheelers with the
same brush.
Lisa Hodges, president of the Alberta United Recreationists Society,
said recently that her organization promotes a code of ethics for
responsible off-road use.
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