by Carl BR Johnson
June 19, 2013
Photo by Carl BR Johnson — Trina Commandeur stands on Road 237 where noise from ATVs has been disturbing her family into the early hours of the morning.
The sound of ATVs roaring up the rural road by their house is a constant aggravation for Trina Commandeur and Denis Matheson.
“We have no peace, quiet or enjoyment of our homes,” said Commandeur.
“They are coming and going, day and night.”
She said they have been awakened as early as 3:30 a.m. and that weekends are usually the time when the ATVs are “flying by our house.”
The couple, who live in the area near Road 208 and Road 237, voiced their displeasure to the PRRD board Thursday. Their house is in the proximity of the Bear Mountain Community Pasture, a local attraction and popular ride for ATVs. Commandeur said that it affects many residents living in the area.
They’ve contacted the RCMP numerous times, but the problem vanishes by the time help arrives, according to Matheson.
“By the time you call the police, they’re long gone,” he said.
“The RCMP was out there handing out tickets about three weeks ago, and that seemed to slow them (the ATVs) down a bit, but now the ATVs are back at it.”
Cpl. Mike Richard from the Dawson Creek RCMP detachment said that they are aware of the problem in that area, but said, “our patrol area is quite a large one.”
“It would be nice if the ATV and dirt bike community could do some self-policing,” said Richard.
Richard confirmed that it is illegal to drive an ATV on Roads 208, 237 and many similar rural roads.
“The best thing to do is to call us as soon as they hear the ATVs and we’ll do what we can,” he said.
“Dangerous behaviour” by the drivers of the vehicles are also a concern, according to a letter submitted to the PRRD by Ted Henderson, president of the Bear Mountain Pasture Association.
It is not just related to the use of the ATVs – residents are concerned about mud-bogging in the wetlands, livestock harassment, the burning of holiday trailers, bonfires, and the indiscriminate use of firearms – such as target practice on propane tanks and fire extinguishers.
However, the PRRD said that there was nothing they could do to resolve the problem.
“We really have no way of enforcing this – this is an RCMP issue,” said Board Chair Karen Goodings said after their presentation.
“But we can draw people together and see if there’s a common ground.”
The couple said they’re looking for signage to be posted along the road in front of their house and stronger enforcement by the police.
“They’re our elected officials and they should be taking care of the residents,” said Commandeur.
The PRRD did agree to look into the feasibility of posting signs in the area.
Local ATV riders are also bothered by these complaints.
“That kind of behaviour is uncalled for,” said Dane Smith, president of the Mud Dawgs ATV Club in Dawson Creek. “That situation out there sounds like young kids being stupid. They’re gonna wreck it for the good riders.”
Smith said that his organization and several ATV dealers in town are in favour of registering ATVs in B.C.
“Registration would keep people accountable,” he said.
Smith said if he found out one of his club members were part of the ATV disturbances in the Arras area, he would, “definitely” deal with the problem.
If a member persisted in that type of behaviour, Smith said they would be “ejected from the club.”
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