Cops!

[KX'er]

Alright, first off, just to let you all know I'm not a cop hater, I actually support and respect them as much as I can.
Anyway, This weekend I was riding in a "new" spot with some friends, one of which has riden there many times before without problems. The "place" consists of mostly trails, and two makeshift tracks. We were there for about 4 hours and on our way back to the trucks a cop runs out in the middle of the trial screaming and yelling for us to stop. So, being the responsible citizens that we are, we stop. He goes on and on about how we are on private property and how it is illegal to ride there. The place was not posted, and there were other people riding there so we assumed it was ok. We agreed that we were in the wrong, even though the place wasn't posted and we had no Idea. He said no big deal, he just wants to follow us back to the trucks and check our ID's and run the VINs on our bikes. Cool, I would hope cops run VINs on as many bikes as possible to check for stolen ones. So, we get back to the trucks, next thing the guy is writing us tickets for trespassing and illegal off-roading. He also writes me another ticket because I don't have a green or red sticker on my bike (it is regestered in Washington, where I bought it. DMV said this is fine). We asked him how many people actually stop for him, and he said basically none. We tried to talk him into a warning to no avail. Meanwhile, the sound of about 5 other bikes echos in the distance. So here we are, victims of the quota, I guess it doesn't pay to stop and be honest anymore. Next time I see a cop at a local riding spot, I'll be more inclined to run.:mad:

 

[Jaybird]

Local riding spot?
Didn't you admit that you assumed it was allright to ride there?

Assume makes an ASS out of U and ME.

:(

 

[Okiewan]

What's with people these days? Break the law, get a ticket. Take it like a man. I give you credit for stoping, but hey, don't whine about getting popped for something you did wrong.

Did you consider that whoever owns the land may have asked him to remove you? Unless the police know you aren't supposed to be on a piece of land they'll leave you alone. The owner is probably worried about getting sued by some whiner for crashing on hi land.

 

[a454elk]

KX'er, it does pay to stop and be honest. You just got caught doing something you shouldn't have. Don't blame him, he didn't tote your bike out there for you and turn your throttle. Try and keep this in perspective, how many times DIDN"T you get caught for doing what you knew was wrong? Don't make us all look bad by running from them. Unfortunately, you got treated the way you did because the guys before you DID run. Good luck
Elk

 

[LWilson250]

A nice cop told me once that if it's not posted as "NO TRESPASSING" from where you enter the trails then there is nothing they can do to you. Just a thought...

Lee W.

 

[KSHAFFER]

Dude, that sucks. how much did they rack ya for? So i know how much to expect if we ever get caught doing that.

 

[jake949]

like the cop that busts Scott Sheak in one of the terriferma vidoes, just out with big head syndrome.

If he misled you into thinking that he was just checking the VINS then the cop is a liar, and he gets to deal with that at a later date.

One of my best freinds is a deputy sherriff, so don't think i am a cop hater. I just think that some law enforcment officers are there for there agenda.

just because it is "the law" don't mean the law is right. "the law" says lots of things that is not fair or right.

 

[sfc crash]

what's with "it's got to be posted? you could just rip down the sign and plead ignorance.:mad: what's with riding in areas assuming it's ok? land is always owned by someone. i had a couple of riders come up thru my back yard,they followed the river,the terain(a ridge) did not allow them to continue,so they came tearing up thru my back yard. no biggie, i think they know better now. ya gotta check these things out.look at plat maps and find out who owns the land and ask. btw, like my cop buddies say"you guys voted for people who passed these laws,we enforce them" btw, in case you don't know it, CA sucks, but don't whine too much, here in the peoples republic of ILL there is NO riding on public land. hate to come down like an old man bad donkey, but we gotta police this stuff up ourselves, the general public hates us. so here's to the "sheep":moon:

 

[BunduBasher]

KX.er If you think you have a case, take it to court, plead not guilty, take it from there. If it was not posted, and your first time there you may get off. Also, track down the owner, see what he has to say, explain your situation.

Yeah, it is a bummer, the cop doing the VIN thing, very clever, get your VIN's and then start handing out the tickets, can't run then, he's got you cold. :think

 

[TWRT]

I used to live in Maryland. All riding areas were being closed. Police were impounding bikes. You either rode on you own land or raced. Even riding on your own land can be stopped, if you do not have correct 'grading' permits and/or cross streams causing silt to accumulate. North Carolina is a much friendlier state. Many more places to ride and tracks that open to the public for a fee.

 

[sfc crash]

NC was awesome..lots of weirhauser? land...lotsa fire breaks.if you were stationed at ft bragg you had mucho fire break riding.:p

 

[bwalker]

A nice cop told me once that if it's not posted as "NO TRESPASSING" from where you enter the trails then there is nothing they can do to you. Just a thought...

Thats not true, at least not in MI. It is your responsibilty to ascertain if the property is private or public.

 

[zio]

Hey Elk- what's the law here in CA say re: what LWilson said? I've heard the same thing, something like it has to be posted every 400 feet or something? Heard it from both dirtbikers who trespass :mad: and landowners themselves. I don't advocate trespassing, but do feel bad for those who get caught in awkward situations where they really didn't know. And I know- it's their responsibility in the first place to know about where they're riding. I guess I just have a soft spot for dumb dudes like myself. I can totally see myself doing something like that.

 

[rollingp]

Well states vary on the laws but here in Indiana all a land owner has to do is say someone was tresspassing and if he wants to can have the person arrested. I think thats pretty sad but thats what the law states.
Kinda like your wife saying you hit her but you didnt and she has you busted.
We can thank the Lawyers for this.

 

[longtime]

Originally posted by rollingp
We can thank the Lawyers for this.

Here we go again.

Thank the lawyers for what -- LAW? Private property rights?

Geesh -- of course we have property law and rights. If someone enforces them arbitrarily or heavy-handedly, then that's the beginning, and the end, of the problem.

 

[Okiewan]

I just don't see where the problem is.
If you don't have specific permission to ride there, don't. "People always have", or "I didn't know", just doesn't cut it. If you are going to make an assumption, assume someone owns the land and you arent allowed to ride there. Ignorance won't get you out of a ticket.

 

[VintageDirt]

I haven't researched this, but if my feable memory serves me, I'm almost practically certain that, the "open unless posted otherwise" law only pertains to public land.

 

[BunduBasher]

"To serve and protect" is this not what it's all about. ?

Was this entire situation about doing a job, or issuing fines. Now if the land owner has had an ongoing battle with the bikers, then you are out of luck, the cop is just doing his job, you got caught. If however it has more to do with filling a quota, then it sucks, surely if the cop was doing his job, then why did it not end after he took the VIN's, he could have just said, "No trespassing boys, if I ever see you here again, then you are in trouble" At this point would the cop not have fulfilled his obligation to serve and protect, get the people off the land, and make sure they don't come back. By issuing the tickets is he trying to ensure that you don't come back, also why make an issue of writing extra tickets. Looks like he was trying to set an example, scare the heck out of you, and anyone else who ever thinks about trespassing there again. Making an example of someone is just not a good way of going about ones job. (Hey Elk ? ;) )

Next time make sure you know where you are riding, I will not ride anywhere other than a designated riding spot, as it is, I am too old, too slow, and too 'deportable' to try and make a get away :confused: , and too poor to have to pay for unnecessary fines. :ugg:

 

[bwalker]

However, I remember the days in my youth where it was not a problem to ride trails that are off limits today. Riding opportunities are shrinking up around us and it is just sad when I recall all the fond memories from my youth.

Thats what it was like when I grew up also. In my area liability law suits and subdivisions put an end to it. As far as the law goes in Michigan. In the lower peninsula all public land are closed to ORV's unless signed open, all public lands in the UP are open unless signed closed. You cannot legaly enter someones property unless you have written permission posted or not.

 

[kingriz1]

Man that blows KX'er,

I just want you to know that yes a lot of cops have problems.

Take it to court and fight it. Wear a suit go clean shaven and a good lawyer and you will probably get off.

You did good by stopping. And for the rest of us. Riding on illegal land is a ticket. Maybe even a misdemeanor. Running from a cop is Evading Arrest or unlawful flight and can be prosecuted as a felony. So to avoid a ticket you end up with a felony record and quite possibly the pokie or juvie hall.

Just stop and plead your case. Most of the time the cops are cool about it.

Sincerely,

Riz

 

[a454elk]

I looked it up in the penal code, section 554 and it states this. I'm gonna try and make it brief, you know how these laywers drag things out:)(j/k LT).
The sign must be at least 1 foot by 1 foot and have lettering no smaller than 2 inches high stating the fact that trespassing is forbiden by law. Any property other than what is accesible to the general public is accdorded access, can be posted.

It goes on to explain more....
554.1 PC states the idea baout fencing and no fencing and the size of the area. It says that if it doesn't exceed one acre then it should be posted at each corner. If it is above one acre, then it has to be posted no further than every 600 feet, on each corner and at an obvious entrance. It says the both for fenced in and non fenced areas.

555 PC is the actual offense to enter and stay within the area unless written permission exists and 555.1 PC is the offense for tearing down the signs.

Now, I have to charge 100 bucks an hour for this service!!:):)

Hope this helps.

Elk

 

[rollingp]

I dont advocate tresspassing Im a land owner myself but the lawyers in this country are one of the reasons we have so much trouble when it comes to
open riding areas or use of private land for riding.
They are the ones who promote the injury suites on land owners who allow
riders to ride on their property for income.
They get laws passed and then find loop holes to swist the law to their benefit when needed.
Not everyone can purchase land to ride on so off they go following trails that others have made before them.
Yes they should know someone owns the land and consider they may not want anyone riding there. get permission etc. My point is I dont think a land owner should just be able to have someone arrested unless the property is posted and the tresspassers are caught there and then. Several of the local kids around here have had this happen to them and it is usually some farmer pointing the finger.
Many times it was later found that the accused were at school etc.so
after being arrested and having their bike , or whatever impounded they
were found not quilty.
A person shouldnt have to be drug through all this hassle based on an accusation .

 

[LWilson250]

Ok I have an interesting question for you guys. What if you ride on County owned land? Here in my subdivision the county bought out about 7 houses that were always flooded. They tore them down and let the land to back to normal. There are no signs posted in these lots and they are back away from all the other houses so people don’t hear me riding there. I civic association doesn’t have any problems with me riding in the empty lots.

So the question is, is it ok for me to ride in the lots? I have talked to police officers and they said it’s ok, but I still wonder... Another small part of the problem is there is a creek that runs along the neighborhood that I like to ride along. Is this ok?


Lee W.

 

[Okiewan]

I have come to the conclusion that BunduBasher is anti punishment of any substance.

Cop pulls kid over:

"Son, you can't ride here"
"Okay Mr. Officer, I made a mistake"
"Promise me you won't ride here anymore"
"yes sir"
"Okay then, here's a loli-pop, be on your way"

Dude, the world is not an episode of Andy Griffith.

Is the cop allowed to raise his voice during said reprimand or is that a no-no too? You're right tho, you can bet those kids will never ride there again after the cop told them not to, lol.

All you ever hear in these posts is one side of the story, and typically (go figure) from "young ones". All this judgment passing without all the info is ridiculous. I had the same mentality when I was a teenager... some how, every time I got in trouble, it "wasn't fair", it wasn't right, whatever. Every "Cops" post here is written with that attitude.

 

[a454elk]

Okie, the sad thing is, it's not just the teens that think that way!:D
Elk