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Posted by: garyc660R
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Originally posted by: kman01
I was riding by myself a couple of weekends back in some trails near my dad&39;s house. I knew there was a pistol range nearby (we can hear them from my dad&39;s house sometimes) and I wanted to make sure I was not in the downrange area. I was riding along on one part of the trail and something didn&39;t look right. I stopped immediately, cut my quad off and started to look around and ask a person if it was safe for me to continue to follow the trails or if this was private property. At that very moment, a police officer walks around the bend towards me and asked what the hell was I doing. I took off my helmet (being respectful) walked up to him, shook his hand, told him my name and asked if this was private property. His response was “Turn around and put your hands behind your back.” I never thought I would get handcuffed for being nice. He takes my ID, runs a warrant check and proceeds to lecture me for riding near a pistol range. I was trying to explain to him that I knew the range was near but I didn&39;t know exactly where and that is why I stopped. Turns out, I stopped 100 feet from the down range area so I was not in any danger. The range was closed for maintenance that week as well so not like I could hear the shots and turn around. Long story short, he let me cool my heals for 20 minutes before he let me go. I just thought it was funny seeing as how I was in a position to run and he would have never caught me but I stayed to try and dispel the myth of the average ATVer and I get cuffed. I guess it could have been worse but I thought I was going to jail that day.
I don't get it....how on earth do you not know exactly where you are when riding in the immediate area of a shooting range, that is on private property as well?? Looks like the cop was trying to get the point across that you should never be riding in that area again.
Gary
Posted by: garyc660R
After checking your pics you are clearly no kid that needed to be taught a lesson, which was my image of what was going on. So the cufs were definately over the top on the officers part IMO. Why would he have even have been up there anyway? Do you think someone reported you or what?
Posted by: garyc660R
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Originally posted by: ThrashAndCrashUntilItsTrash
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Originally posted by: Scootergptx BUT since you aproached him.....he was a touch of an @$$.
Doing the right thing should not result in being handcuffed.
Posted by: blackballed
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Originally posted by: Dragginbutt
"...If I were to take you to task on anything, it would be for not knowing the area and obtaining permission prior to setting off on a ride...."
It's a matter of simple common courtesy that has everything to do with where you think twice of trespassing in every other aspect of your life (why even the mention of "running" ever finds its way into these conversations is beyond me.....).
Posted by: blackballed
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Originally posted by: 04SCRAMBLER500
"....im sure there had been signs b4 just other riders ripped em off so if they got caught they could just say "how was i supposed to know, there are no signs around here". weve all pulled that trick b4...."
I think that the terms "they" and "we" have gotten confused here....as I know many young impressionable riders on here who would not only beg to differ with that generalization; but claim that older riders on this board would never describe any measure of behavior that was less than honorable (sorry, but this is something which comes from a generation long since deceased; yet carried on by those few of us who were lucky enough to have known these people and respected how they modeled simple behavior in public).
Posted by: Dragginbutt
It is hard to say what the officer's motivation was... difficult to get inside someone's head... A question to superiors on procedure could clear that up. Like you I think it may have been a bit heavy handed, but we don't know if there is a procedural concern.. so we have to give them the benefit of a doubt. The thing I want to commend you on is that you stopped, and were respectful. At least one side of the communication process was working that day....
If I were to take you to task on anything, it would be for not knowing the area and obtaining permission prior to setting off on a ride. The existance of trails, and the lack of signage does not relieve you of that responsbility, nor does it give you permission to take advantage of them as well. You might find that a private club has already obtained the rights to ride... and all it would take is joining up to gain access. In Richmond, VA, there is a trail riding group that have done this for several riding locations within the state.
I feel you are trying to be a good citizen.. and I applaud you for that... keep up the good work.. and continue to be a good example for others to follow. God knows we are overly blessed with idiots here in the Commonwealth...
Posted by: Dragginbutt
Not sure I follow your "somebody stole the sign" logic.... the bottom line is the rights are going to belong in the land owner's corner. Whether there are signs or not... is irrelevant.
If a person chooses to ride an area without knowing the lay of the land, and obtaining permission, they are subject to arrest, fines, and in some states, confiscation of their quad. If you run, the consequences go up.
I've been on the other side of that issue.. and was absolutely thankful the State Police was present, as I am sure they would not have found my body if the landowner had anything to do with it...
The only answer is to act responsibly, and KNOW where you are riding...
Posted by: BlackandRedWarrior
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Originally posted by: kman01
Since I will be home for the 4th, I figure I will try a different route and ASK first if I can ride in the area (if they are not using the range, of course) before I just follow the trails back there. The worst they can say is no.
Ahh asking permission. Who would have thunk of it!
Posted by: Scootergptx
Don't think he should have cuffed you. But, 100 feet in any direction of a live range is a danger area. If you look at any shootings at gun ranges, they are all accidents, and nobody was standing at the target area. I aggree they should have some type of warning signs up. Seems like they would have to for liability issues.
Posted by: NLWarrior01
I think that cop was a little overzealous .. especially considering the manner in which you approached him. Perhaps it was his way of making sure you don't forget the area is a shooting range ??
At least he didn't ticket you, but all the checks and stuff .. were they really necessary? I mean if you had outstanding warrants or prior run-in's you'd have hardly stuck around to ask about the area would you???
Posted by: ThrashAndCrashUntilItsTrash
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Originally posted by: Scootergptx
Don't think he should have cuffed you. But, 100 feet in any direction of a live range is a danger area. If you look at any shootings at gun ranges, they are all accidents, and nobody was standing at the target area. I aggree they should have some type of warning signs up. Seems like they would have to for liability issues.
100% agree............That should be posted all over the place..........Kman01...in the officers defence (best friend is a cop) sometimes they cuff you for both of yours saftey. If your cuffed while he is checking you out, the cop stays calm and not gun happy He can cuff me for 20min....JUST keep that gun holstered! BUT since you aproached him.....he was a touch of an @$$.
Posted by: rescuediver
I agree 100% the area should be posted. If it is not, then, I would contact whoever's firing range it is and tell them it's not posted and that it's a liability. I read this story about him cuffing you. Every officer has their reason(s). Now, did he happen to tell you to stop, stay on or at your quad, was he telling you things to do, but, you still felt you wanted to be respectful and still shake his hand? Kinda sounds like there is more to the story. If not, and you feel he was a little over zealous, then talk to his superior. Law Enforcement doesn't need over zealous officers.
Posted by: weez440
ok i have a ? if this was a safety issue and he wanted to get his point across why weren't there any signes posted to clarify that there is a range nearby and where to stay away from? even if there are alot of renegade trails that isn't your fault they are there and they should be posted for everyone's safety as well. and well sometimes certain cops go on power trips and it makes them feel like they are kings of the world i am sure he would have had fun explaining that one in court if he would have brought you in.
Posted by: kman01
I was riding by myself a couple of weekends back in some trails near my dad&39;s house. I knew there was a pistol range nearby (we can hear them from my dad&39;s house sometimes) and I wanted to make sure I was not in the downrange area. I was riding along on one part of the trail and something didn&39;t look right. I stopped immediately, cut my quad off and started to look around and ask a person if it was safe for me to continue to follow the trails or if this was private property. At that very moment, a police officer walks around the bend towards me and asked what the hell was I doing. I took off my helmet (being respectful) walked up to him, shook his hand, told him my name and asked if this was private property. His response was “Turn around and put your hands behind your back.” I never thought I would get handcuffed for being nice. He takes my ID, runs a warrant check and proceeds to lecture me for riding near a pistol range. I was trying to explain to him that I knew the range was near but I didn&39;t know exactly where and that is why I stopped. Turns out, I stopped 100 feet from the down range area so I was not in any danger. The range was closed for maintenance that week as well so not like I could hear the shots and turn around. Long story short, he let me cool my heals for 20 minutes before he let me go. I just thought it was funny seeing as how I was in a position to run and he would have never caught me but I stayed to try and dispel the myth of the average ATVer and I get cuffed. I guess it could have been worse but I thought I was going to jail that day.
Posted by: kman01
Trust me. There were ATV/dirt bike trails all over that area (probably made illegally) and if you don&39;t exactly know where you are going, you could pass right by the range and not know. That is why I stopped to ask. You can&39;t see it from the trails. I only noticed it from the surrounding area and since I was in the military, there were certain clues that made me want to stop.
The cop got his point across to me alright. He just didn&39;t have to put me in handcuffs to do it. I was courteous and respectful to him; no need to escalate the situation. A simple “Hey buddy, this is private property. You need to leave” would have sufficed.
Posted by: kman01
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Originally posted by: Scootergptx
I aggree they should have some type of warning signs up. Seems like they would have to for liability issues.
Good point. I will see if I can talk to the Range Safety Officer and have him post warning signs around that area. Heck, I will put up the signs for him if he has any. I imagine that getting shot while ridding your quad could pretty much ruin your day.
Posted by: kman01
Funny you should ask that. I think they were out doing range maintenance at the time. Since I will be home for the 4th, I figure I will try a different route and ASK first if I can ride in the area (if they are not using the range, of course) before I just follow the trails back there. The worst they can say is no.
Posted by: pat89
Checking to see if you had any warrants, etc. was standard procedure. Handcuffing you seemed to be a little over the top, esp. if there were no Posted Signs up. I agree that the area needs to be marked off if there is a danger of any rounds penetrating the riding area.
Posted by: ScramaDamaDingDong
I just wonder what the cop was doing hanging out in the woods. Did he have a lady with him or something
Posted by: 04SCRAMBLER500
sounds to me like that cop was in a bad mood that day. i have a shooting range near where i ride also and there are signs all over that area. we still ride there just not when they are shooting. but since there are trails going through the shooting range where you were riding, im sure there had been signs b4 just other riders ripped em off so if they got caught they could just say "how was i supposed to know, there are no signs around here". weve all pulled that trick b4.
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04 Scrambler 500 4X4
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