The RCMP are going to be keeping their eyes open for quad drivers operating where they shouldn't be, after a discussion with Battleford town council Monday.
The subject of quads and other all terrain vehicles driving illegally on town streets to get down to the river was brought up by Councillor David George, who indicated it has also been brought up by Councillor Ames Leslie in the past.
The noise they make is a nuisance, said George, and there are some people getting "fed up with it." Some of those people are even quad owners themselves, he told Sgt. Carl Dinsdale, senior detail supervisor with the rural detachment of the Battlefords RCMP.
Dinsdale agreed on the noise issue.
"The serenity of a walk on Finlayson Island is quickly destroyed by dirt bikes roaring down the flats."
Dinsdale said, "I will pass the message for members to be aware of it." He added, "If you are getting complaints from community members, the best bet is, at the time, to call us."
It's admitted they are not easy to catch them in the act, because it is dangerous to pursue a quad with a police car on the streets. But if the community members who report them know who the culprits are, a member can go right to their house and wait for them there. A charge could be laid based on someone identifying the offender, said Dinsdale.
"That's enough to lay a charge."
Mayor Derek Mahon said, "That's good to know."
Dinsdale did caution, however, the identifying citizen would have to be willing to make a statement - and sometimes that's neighbour against neighbour.
In addition to the noise issue, said George, they are causing damage to a wildlife habitat.
"I'm not a wildlife fanatic, but those places are habitat, and they wreck habitat," said George. "That's not right; it's like pulling the bull rushes out in front of your cottage. You can't do that; that's illegal."
Dinsdale said if the operator is 16, holds a licence and liability insurance, he can't do anything about them being on Crown or public land.
However, when it comes to the river, he said he might be able to get creative. He plans to research the possibility of there being an inland waterway issue.
"You have quite a bit of wildlife right along the river's edge. I've bumped into moose and deer and all kinds of things down there," said Dinsdale, who makes his home in Battleford. "You don't want to lose that; it's a charming aspect of the town."
