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focus of law enforcement effort
CLEAR LAKE – Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
conservation officers have partnered with the Iowa State Patrol to
conduct snowmobile enforcement projects across North Iowa this
winter. Record snowfalls brought snowmobilers out in full force, and
some sled enthusiasts were found mixing their recreational pursuits with
drinking.
Over the last two weekends in January, officers contacted 227
snowmobile operators, of which 10 were arrested for operating while
intoxicated, along with two arrests for operating a motor vehicle while
revoked, according to a press release posted on the IDNR’s website
Feb. 5.
“This project was successful because of the good relationship we have
with the State Patrol and our partners in the local police and sheriff’s
departments. We are planning additional enforcement projects as long as
the snow is around and the snowmobiles are out there,” said Jason
Sandholdt, interim chief of the IDNR’s Law Enforcement Bureau.
“What we found really amazing was some of the operators who were
arrested for OWI were found to be two to three times above the legal
limit to drive. That is a lot of drinking. Our goal is to keep the public
safe.”
In addition, 31 other violations were found, ranging from “no safety
certificates for operators under age 18” and “failure to display
registration” to “failure to stop at intersection” and “failure to obey a
signal to stop.”
“We don’t intend to paint all snowmobilers with the same broad brush,
but there are certain groups we are targeting because of their behavior,”
said Ken Lonneman, conservation officer and acting supervisor with the
DNR’s office at Clear Lake. “By far, most snowmobilers are law
abiding operators who do it the right way. But we will be out there
looking for these certain groups and riders who are reckless.”
“Many snowmobilers don’t realize that the same laws which make
driving a car under the influence of drugs or alcohol illegal also pertain
to the operation of a snowmobile,” said Mike Bonser, conservation
officer for Black Hawk and Bremer counties.
In cases where snowmobilers attempted to avoid speaking with officers,
the State Patrol’s aircraft assisted getting the errant riders stopped.
“Driving a snowmobile in Iowa has just as many regulations as driving
the family car and should be taken as seriously. Snowmobiling can be a
fun and wonderful winter activity as long as people operate
responsibly,” Bonser said.
ISSA President Gary McVicker, a former sheriff’s reserve in Franklin
County, responded favorably to the press release, citing his association’
s long-standing commitment to safe and responsible snowmobiling.
“We’ve heard of several similar law enforcement efforts across the
state, and we recognize their efforts. Hopefully this will curb
inappropriate behavior,” McVicker said. “Some of these operators
needed to be stopped to keep from giving the rest of us a bad name. As
an association, we work very hard to promote our sport, and I would
like to remind our members to be sensible.”
CLEAR LAKE – Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
conservation officers have partnered with the Iowa State Patrol to
conduct snowmobile enforcement projects across North Iowa this
winter. Record snowfalls brought snowmobilers out in full force, and
some sled enthusiasts were found mixing their recreational pursuits with
drinking.
Over the last two weekends in January, officers contacted 227
snowmobile operators, of which 10 were arrested for operating while
intoxicated, along with two arrests for operating a motor vehicle while
revoked, according to a press release posted on the IDNR’s website
Feb. 5.
“This project was successful because of the good relationship we have
with the State Patrol and our partners in the local police and sheriff’s
departments. We are planning additional enforcement projects as long as
the snow is around and the snowmobiles are out there,” said Jason
Sandholdt, interim chief of the IDNR’s Law Enforcement Bureau.
“What we found really amazing was some of the operators who were
arrested for OWI were found to be two to three times above the legal
limit to drive. That is a lot of drinking. Our goal is to keep the public
safe.”
In addition, 31 other violations were found, ranging from “no safety
certificates for operators under age 18” and “failure to display
registration” to “failure to stop at intersection” and “failure to obey a
signal to stop.”
“We don’t intend to paint all snowmobilers with the same broad brush,
but there are certain groups we are targeting because of their behavior,”
said Ken Lonneman, conservation officer and acting supervisor with the
DNR’s office at Clear Lake. “By far, most snowmobilers are law
abiding operators who do it the right way. But we will be out there
looking for these certain groups and riders who are reckless.”
“Many snowmobilers don’t realize that the same laws which make
driving a car under the influence of drugs or alcohol illegal also pertain
to the operation of a snowmobile,” said Mike Bonser, conservation
officer for Black Hawk and Bremer counties.
In cases where snowmobilers attempted to avoid speaking with officers,
the State Patrol’s aircraft assisted getting the errant riders stopped.
“Driving a snowmobile in Iowa has just as many regulations as driving
the family car and should be taken as seriously. Snowmobiling can be a
fun and wonderful winter activity as long as people operate
responsibly,” Bonser said.
ISSA President Gary McVicker, a former sheriff’s reserve in Franklin
County, responded favorably to the press release, citing his association’
s long-standing commitment to safe and responsible snowmobiling.
“We’ve heard of several similar law enforcement efforts across the
state, and we recognize their efforts. Hopefully this will curb
inappropriate behavior,” McVicker said. “Some of these operators
needed to be stopped to keep from giving the rest of us a bad name. As
an association, we work very hard to promote our sport, and I would
like to remind our members to be sensible.”