ADAM JACKSON/Rimbey Review
Rimbey RCMP were travelling the trails in style over the long weekend.
Sgt. Mark Groves, along with Staff Sgt. Tim Ashmore, the advisory non-commissioned officer for the Battle River District, took to the trails and campsites on Medicine Lake via two brand new all-terrain vehicles, looking to keep the public safe.
The addition of the two new ATVs comes on the heels of a business case proposed by Groves to Ashmore, then to the provincial government.
The ATVs, along with the trailer in which they are stored, were purchased with provincial capital funds.
“In previous years, we’ve had a consistent May long weekend complaint from citizens, families and people complaining about use of ATVs on public land,” said Groves.
“They have been damaging the environment, having collisions, driving while impaired and just being a general nuisance to many families that are camping.”
The Rimbey RCMP were also seeking ATVs reported stolen over the past year. Over the weekend, the RCMP, through Check Stops, road patrols and ATV patrols, issued 56 tickets, made two drug trafficking arrests, recovered a stolen vehicle and a stolen ATV, and incarcerated 13 individuals for causing disturbances.
The drug trafficking arrests came as a result of marijuana seized on May 20, although not seized by officers on ATVs, it was a major find for RCMP. The vehicle was stopped at a Check Stop at Highway 22 and Medicine Lake Road.
“(On May 20), we caught a drug trafficker travelling from the (Medicine Lake area) and seized a large amount of marijuana,” said Groves. “You know it’s always here in small amounts, but catching a drug trafficker just added to the idea that if we weren’t here, he wouldn’t have been caught.”
Police were patrolling constantly through the weekend, spending Friday evening on the trails and more than 12 hours on both Saturday and Sunday ensuring that everyone adhering to the regulations set in place.
The main for the police was compliance — proper insurance and licensing — and checking for vehicle identification numbers to spot stolen vehicles.
After the vehicles were, police issued an orange sticker to show other officers in the area that they have been checked.
Although many campers scattered away from the RCMP as they arrived at a campsite, Groves says that it is necessary to create a presence at the campsites and on the trails.
“The whole idea is to get into the backcountry and educate people through all the forms that the RCMP has available, enforcement being one of those options,” said Groves.
Most riders, like 29-year-old Christy Burlet, didn’t have any major problem with having the RCMP around the trails.
“They’re just doing their job. They’re helpful and once they check you out, they leave you alone,” said Burlet.
The enforcement was a combined task force of Alberta Forestry, Fish and Wildlife, Alberta Sheriffs, Rimbey RCMP and Clearwater County peace officers.
Groves estimates that on the May long weekend, there are more than 50,000 backcountry users in the Medicine Lake area, creating a clear demand for enforcement and education.
“With combined forces, we can ensure that we will be out here, creating a presence and ensuring that everyone has a safe weekend,” said Groves. “That’s our goal.”
The addition of the ATVs to the combined effort benefited the enforcement greatly, as officers are able to check 70 vehicles per hour for compliance and proper safety measures.
The Rimbey RCMP will continue using the ATVs throughout the year, and are expecting a new boat on Gull Lake in September and snowmobiles later on in the season.