Note to illegal ATV riders: Sprague is ready for you

Greg Smith

In response to complaints about illegal all-terrain vehicle riding, Sprague’s resident trooper, John Patterson, said he is fighting back.

A new ATV, complete with lights, sirens and skull graphics, will allow Patterson to traverse areas once inaccessible to his patrol car.

“We’ve talked about this for about three years,” Patterson said. “There are groups riding on town property illegally.”

The ATV and accessories were purchased through a $9,100 federal Justice Assistance grant awarded to the town. The money also will pay for training through the Department of Environmental Protection, which holds two classes a year for law enforcement personnel.

State DEP spokesman Dennis Schain said it is illegal to ride on state-owned land, and anyone on private property must have written permission and carry that permission while riding.

“We enforce those laws and work closely with the state police,” Schain said. “(ATVs) can do a tremendous about of damage to natural resources — vegetation and land.”

Schain said DEP conservation officers occasionally coordinate with state police, who use a helicopter to relay information to police on the ground, in efforts to locate ATV riders on state land.

ATV riders also are a problem on town-owned land, such as the the 300-acre Mukluk property and 250-acre town reservoir, Patterson said.

Patterson said he plans to join in some DEP stings and nab illegal riders.

Pautipaug Hill Road homeowner Richard Weir said he is somewhat skeptical of the idea, but applauds the effort.

“I don’t think it’s a bad thing he has this vehicle to access trails and unimproved roads,” Weir said. “But to justify it by saying you’re nabbing marauding groups of ATV riders from out of town?”

The ATV was purchased from Advanced Automotive in Griswold.

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Source: http://www.norwichbulletin.com/news/crime/x1566715099/Note-to-illegal-ATV-riders-Sprague-is-ready-for-you

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