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New program with the BLM, ICSO, and CA State Parks to thank the OHVers "getting caught doing the right thing". The ASA Safety Video along with other materials such as the BLMs "Take it O(hv)utside" cards and checkered flags will be distributed through this program. Rangers making positive contacts on the ground, in the field.

They will be looking for actions such as
-Picking up someone elses trash
-safe duning - using a spotter
-Prudent speed in vendor and camp areas
-supervising children under 14
-riding off the pavement - 90 degree rule
-other responsible actions

This program is a vast improvement over the former "Break the law, go to jail"

i hope it works, cause the street gang outreach programs sure havent

So, lemme get this straight... The people who are already being responsible, get the free safety/rules DVD? I'm sorry, but the logic there is lost on me.

And if the ICSO has enough time to go out & pat people on the back for "doing the right thing" ...then they are overstaffed & wasting out money.

I get what you are saying. I'm sure that if the rangers feel that the situation is appropriate then they'd distribute the safety DVD, checkered flags, and "Take It O(hv)utside" cards accordingly, regardless of the situation.

What types of activities would you like to see the distribution based on?

To put some minds at ease, as I understand it, nobody will be getting pulled over or invaded to "get caught doing the right thing" ...a positive outreach effort in the field, not another reason for probable cause.

I think it's definitely a step in the right direction. If they sit around waiting for the perfect idea before doing something, they will be waiting forever as someone will find a problem with anything they do...

These programs are designed to bridge the gap with the citizens, and make LEOs more approachable. If people would be responsible we would not have to worry about being contacted by LEOs. So many times everybody has the attitude "It's not my problem" and "I don't want to get involved", this attitude forces LEOs to become enforcers and mentors to those who are in the dunes.

A small problem that is always brought up is the treatment of the LEO. These LEO (deputies, Rangers, etc) are most of time brought to the dunes away from their normal assignments. ICSO is a very rural area and the LEO there might not have the experience dealing with problems like many duners are used to in their urban hometowns. The Rangers are brought away from several national assignments with minimal experience with the large scale enforcment. These LEOs are probably nervous for their own safety (new to dunes and area) and are very concerned with the lack of back up. A common sense rule is cut them some time and respect if you can. If they are just a little rude, it might be lack of people skills, are they are scared. If they are a true A$$hole request a supervisor come speak to you or call you, be nice and request a contact number to follow up later. If all else fails, call 911 and request another officer respond.

I am not defending the LEOs for their new program, but until you have worn their shoes, Responsible Duners should try to assist them by leading by example to the newer crowds attending the dunes.

Regarding the comments about being overstaffed and wasting money, I try to remind myself that the LEO that does not have anything to do always make the time to Save someone A$$ when time comes no questions asked, and never worried about his family waiting for him. LEO staffing is always projected based on calls for service. If there are less calls, staffing will be adjusted.

Damned if they do, Damned if they don't.

Glamis Pass, licensing fees, Green Stickers and general tax monies, excuse me if I don't agree with the "remember the LEO's aren't properly prepared for their assignment" dealio. If these people are "scared" or out of their element it is not only unfair to us but to them as well. We spend a lot of money to pay for the dune experience and should expect a professional demeanor when contacted by law enforcement. If we have any enforcement personnel that have time for a circle jerk with duners "doing the right thing" I would suggest we re prioritize their mission.
#1 Help the BLM fix all out of bound markers.
#2 Set up on a hill over looking Olds, wait for people to drop trash then ticket them as they're preparing to leave.
#3 Radar gun for speeders on wash road.
#4 Fill in kiddie tracks
#5 Enforce the buffer zone speed limit of campsites on Gecko
#6 Visit campsites with extreme amounts of litter, especially in the flats and washes, WRITE TICKETS.
#7 Stop golfers from hitting balls out of their camp.
#7 1/2 Let the golfers slide.

Glamis Pass, licensing fees, Green Stickers and general tax monies, excuse me if I don't agree with the "remember the LEO's aren't properly prepared for their assignment" dealio. If these people are "scared" or out of their element it is not only unfair to us but to them as well. We spend a lot of money to pay for the dune experience and should expect a professional demeanor when contacted by law enforcement. If we have any enforcement personnel that have time for a circle jerk with duners "doing the right thing" I would suggest we re prioritize their mission.
#1 Help the BLM fix all out of bound markers.
#2 Set up on a hill over looking Olds, wait for people to drop trash then ticket them as they're preparing to leave.
#3 Radar gun for speeders on wash road.
#4 Fill in kiddie tracks
#5 Enforce the buffer zone speed limit of campsites on Gecko
#6 Visit campsites with extreme amounts of litter, especially in the flats and washes, WRITE TICKETS.
#7 Stop golfers from hitting balls out of their camp.
#7 1/2 Let the golfers slide.


I understand your concern, however to train these officers cost money, time and experience. Most duners I know do not want more fees.

#1 cops are not handymen, they are not paid to fix signs that is handled by BLM staff.
#2 if there are thousands of people at the bottom of the major areas one the cop will rarely be able to spot a minor infraction as littering, and 2 they are worried about bigger problems like drunk driving, reckless driving traffic accidents while supervising the crowds.
#3 Radar is only usable on court with a surveyed roadway. It might fly in some court rooms but there will have to be several other driving actions to support using radar in an off road setting.
#4 Again cops are not shovel pushers.
#5 Like #3 there are several issues with speed and have to wind there way through the courts one case at a time to set a standard.
#6 This is always brought up, the argument comes that cops are invading privacy when entering a campsite. Several complaints arise over this issue every year.
#7 I would hope the cops would ask the people to not hit golf balls from camp.

I do not disagree with all of your points, but Glamis is roughly the size of Riverside City 200,000-300,000 on most big weekends. On average riverside has several departments to assist with the daily operations it takes to run the city. Glamis only has a part time crew that arrives to maintain order the best they can. Glamis does not have nearly the resources nor the funding to address the issues at hand.

I have always said take a few moments and go ride with the rangers out there; you'll be very surprised by what is going on around you. Over the past 5 years Sex, alcohol, and violence related crimes at the dunes have been more than the rest of Imperial County. Like I said earlier more calls for service= more cops=more fees.

In a perfect world everyone would follow the rules, pick up trash, drive sober, and be respectful, but the real world is not perfect. It is just sad that the idiots that ruin things cost it for people like us who try to take care of the place.

If we're all in agreement that LEO's are stretched thin then why are we behind a program that takes their limited time away from dealing with the idiots? I realize "cops are not handy men" but they're not cheer leaders either. If the goal is to cut down on infractions what's more important, speaking with someone who "gets it" or helping to establish a clear, well defined boundary for the closures?
Litter, while an infraction is just as likely to close us down as drunk driving. The radar gun could be used to single out people who can then be charged with reckless driving. Many of these idiots that are pulled over could be given a breathalyzer? Even if a single speeding ticket wasn't issued the presence of an officer with a radar gun would most likely have a significant impact on the overall demeanor of people using wash road.
Any of these activities would be time better spent than contacting people already "doing the right thing".

I agree that speed on wash road is a great problem. LEOs have to have probable cause to conduct the stop. If speed is established by radar (deputies have to have been to the radar school) most likely the wash road does not have a speed survey on file. This would throw out the probable cause and thus any arrest during the stop. This is a HUGE thing in court. That is how many people get off on various crimes, because the probable cause was argued and lost in court thus losing the arrest. Many people in the general public don't understand or just disregard the law.

Littering is a huge problem and only will go away with people acting responsible. It is very hard to justify chasing after a person for an infraction and risking the lives of the public attempting to catch such a minor crime. LAPD has struggled with high speed chases for years because the general public sees them as too dangerous. Many attempts have been made to restrict cops from chasing property crimes like a stolen vehicle. The same people have said it is safer to recover the vehicle later without the chase. many cities will not allow cops to chase and pursue a minor infraction such as littering because of the risks.

I don't agree with letting criminals go, but enforcement out in Glamis is very tricky and has several issues to deal with besides crime. These issues will continue to rise as long as Glamis is visited by hundreds of thousands of people.

On the speed... supposedly speed around camps, wash road, gecko flats, sand highway and the rest of the hot spots will be handled this year. Heard that the BOD meeting that they purchased 3 LIDAR gunns and sent folks to training.

Thanks knucklehead

That is a great tool and almost impossible to beat in court when on the highway.

Brian Ask the ICSO how these infractions in court will stand. We are having this very issue in Riv County courts trying to enforce our county ordinances. Also ask if they will be citing for a county ordinance or vehicle code violations. Below is the California vehicle code sections and Imperial County ordinances that apply. There is many sub sections but the meat of it is below. Most of the statute says upon a highway. Any defense attorney will argue the fact that the dunes are not a highway. Maybe one of the board members that is a lawyer will speak up for some clarification.

This is a very interesting time to be following the enforcement and prosecution of these cases, this has been creating lots of case law out of the rulings. Please pass on to fellow duners to slow down, so more laws are not created to eventually close the dunes.

California Vehicle Codes
22348. (a) Notwithstanding subdivision (b) of Section 22351, a
person shall not drive a vehicle upon a highway with a speed limit
established pursuant to Section 22349 or 22356 at a speed greater
than that speed limit.
(b) A person who drives a vehicle upon a highway at a speed
greater than 100 miles per hour is guilty of an infraction
punishable, as follows:

22349. (a) Except as provided in Section 22356, no person may drive
a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than 65 miles per hour.


22350. No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed
greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather,
visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the
highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of
persons or property.


Imperial County ordinances that pertain to Glamis:

12.42.010 Purpose.
Whereas the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (Imperial Sand Dunes) has become a year-round recreation area for off highway vehicle enthusiasts. And, whereas, during certain times of the year, including Thanksgiving, New Years, Halloween and other three day weekends, the Imperial Sand Dunes is visited by more than sixty thousand (60,000 ) recreationists. Unfortunately, the area within the Imperial Sand Dunes generally known as Competition Hill has been designated by local law enforcement as an area of lawlessness at times beyond their control, particularly during nighttime, creating serious concern for their safety as well as the safety of the public in general. For example, while attempting to enforce federal and state laws at Competition Hill, law enforcement has been surrounded by thousands of unruly recreationists threatening physical harm.
In an effort to mitigate this situation, it has been recommended by the Imperial County Sheriff’s Department, in cooperation with the bureau of land management that Competition Hill be closed to any and all recreationists during nighttime hours. It is their belief that the closing of Competition Hill during nighttime hours is essential to maintaining a safe area for recreationists. (Ord. 1359, § 1 (part), 2002)

12.42.020 Prohibitions.
It shall be unlawful for any person to enter the area generally known as Competition Hill within the Imperial Sand Dunes one half hour before sunset until one half hour after sunrise. (Ord. 1359, § 1 (part) 2002)

12.42.030 Exceptions.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 12.42.020, the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to persons using Competition Hill in an emergency. (Ord. 1359, § 1 (part), 2002)

12.42.040 Posting.
The Imperial County Sheriffs Department, in cooperation with the bureau of land management and/or such other agency, as designated by the county or the bureau of land management, shall erect such signs and/or other notices stating the prohibitions contained herein, at such places as deem appropriate. (Ord. 1359, § 1 (part), 2002)

12.42.050 Enforcement.
Violations of this chapter may be enforced by any federal, state or local peace officer or ranger with peace officer status, or by any officer or employee of the county who has peace officer training as may be assigned to such duty. (Ord. 1359 (part), § 1)

12.42.060 Penalty.
A. A violation of this chapter is a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six months or both.
B. The continuance or reoccurrence of a violation more than twenty-four (24) hours after a previous citation shall be considered a separate violation and shall be cited as such. (Ord. 1359, § 1 (part), 2002)

All the more reason to hand police officers shovels, trash bags and tow ropes.

While I may do the right thing from time to time, I certainly don't want to get caught at it. It would ruin my rep as a
"bad boy". Chicks dig the bad boys. At least that's what my told me.

Chicks dig Flatbillers too though....

But some how I'll keep wearing my black socks to work under my suit vs. at the desert w/ a KMK jersey.

As to the Slogan......I don't care for the "Get Caught" portion of it.

Haven't checked on this...but at Ogilby, BLM Ranger told me this weekend that there is a Federal Magistrate in El Centro now.

That would make all tickets binding and follow you wherever you may go or be from.