Sheriff looks at landfill ATV issues |
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| Written by Times Daily |
| Thursday, June 04, 2009 |
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Tom Smith UNDERWOOD - Lauderdale County Solid Waste Manager Robert Bevis has asked the sheriff's department to help stop four-wheeler operators from trespassing at the Lauderdale County Landfill. Bevis said four-wheelers are damaging a portion of the permitted landfill area. "They're coming in on the backside of the property, crossing a creek and going through property that the county bought last year to expand the landfill," Bevis said, adding that the expanded property hasn't been fenced. He said four-wheeler traffic recently damaged the sides of the retention pond. Bevis said the four-wheelers have been seen coming in off Arnold Lane, which is behind the landfill. "We need to get a handle on this before it gets to be too big of a problem," said Commission Chairman Dewey Mitchell, who also doubles as the county probate judge.Bevis said he has "no trespassing" signs along Alabama 157. On Thursday he had crews at the landfill posting more signs. "Plus, we're pushing up trees and stumps, trying to make access harder," Bevis said. Sheriff Ronnie Willis said anyone caught violating the no trespassing rules could face a fine and possible jail time. "If they're riding on any property without the owner's written permission to be on the property, they can be charged, but by Alabama law, it's up to the owner to get the warrant," Willis said. The sheriff said his office gets calls constantly about four-wheelers damaging private property. "This is something we deal with on a weekly basis," he said. He said his office will work closely with the solid waste department to try and catch the ones causing the problems at the landfill. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites     |
State by State Momentum
Community Voices
“We’ve had success bringing illegal riders to justice by snapping photos of their ID stickers. The problem in California is that they’re too darn small to see from far away or at high speeds. While I’m normally not in favor of the government getting involved in things, requiring all ORVs to have a visible ID with a minimum size and standard location would make them an even better tool for property owners to identify trespassing riders. We should also look to Wyoming’s lead and make trespassing penalties clear so riders think twice before they head off designated trails and onto my land.” - Mesonika Piecuch, private property owner, Kern County, CA |
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