A pricey peace in Glamis
01/16/2002


THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE

It isn't often that a state commission gets asked for money and writes a check for double the request. But then, it's not often that an applicant comes in, as Imperial County did last week, with such a clearcut case for the bucks and the bonus.

County officials were in Ontario last week to petition for state money to help pay for law enforcement at the Glamis dunes, the popular desert off-roading area that turned lawless over Thanksgiving and, to a lesser extent, New Year's. Specifically, the county wanted $242,000 to cover those bills just for the rest of this fiscal year. But during presentations before the state Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission, it became painfully obvious that more -- much more -- was actually needed.

At Thanksgiving, 190,000 people descended on the dunes (the resident population of all of Imperial County is 142,000), and the 40 law enforcement officers working the area were hopelessly overmatched. Chaos ensued. At least three deaths resulted. There was a shooting, a stabbing, brawls, an attempt to run down an officer, and in some areas mobs held absolute sway. Over New Year's, the federal Bureau of Land Management brought in a special enforcement team that was only modestly successful at keeping the lid on.

State off-road commissioners got a full report on all this, and what an eye-opener for them and the public: That New Year's enforcement effort -- just that one long, wild (but not wildest) weekend -- cost an estimated $500,000 in public funds.

So when Imperial County Sheriff Harold Carter told commissioners he really needed more like a half-million to pay for overtime of his deputies and others on loan (never mind extra court and jail costs, etc.) he was entirely credible. In the end, and deservedly so, Imperial County was given $500,000, plus a separate grant of $84,150 for equipment as well.

All this will come from money that is for, and from, off-roaders. It's a state fund maintained by fuel taxes from ORVs, the registration of same, and fees collected at state vehicular recreation areas. It's user money. So putting it back into this off-roading mecca seems logical. Plus, this money is available. In a state facing a $12 billion deficit, that's a rarity.

But it seems to us, and we've said this before, that the legitimate off-roaders constitute a class of victims in all this. They're not the ones doing drugs, cheering when someone's truck rolls or catches fire, and greeting rangers or deputies who come to help with a hail of rocks and bottles.

The traditional off-roaders come from the Good Sam tradition of helping one another. The American Sand Association and other off-road groups support the Safety Bug program, under which dunes visitors are given trash bags, rules sheets and encouragement to camp and ride responsibly. Association members launched a checkered flag program after a near-riot in the dunes two years ago; under it, off-roaders fly distinctive pennants from their whip antennas to show support for law enforcement.

All of which begs this question: Why should their money be used to solve what is essentially a law enforcement problem? The answer is that it works for right now; it's expedient. But over the longer haul, these funds should not be consumed (any more than Imperial County's should) because roving crowds of hell-raisers have moved in on off-roaders. This is Bureau of Land Management turf, and over the longer haul, this should be a federal issue.



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May the Dune Gods Smile Upon You
ShiftingDunes.com

Read it this morning over breakfast. The inland press understands the issues better than most. Right on!

ok maybe i read this wrong but it said that they were given a check for $500,000 and an aditional $84k. thats good!! what im confused about is it sounded like this money has always been there for the off road community - right???? if so how long has it been there and how much more is there???? and why hasnt it been released before for something like this??? what is the money for anyways and why is the government hording it???
will somebody please explain to me.. or am i just so confused about it that there is no help??

No way! I thought Hell was gonna freeze over before I'd see an article like this I'm just affraid what kind of spin the greens are gonna put on it

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Even the best rock is RED... www.RedElvises.com

DuneAddict,
The fight for Green Sticker money is a long and hard one. Many dune organazations have been screaming about this forever.

One problem is, or so I've been told, the comitee that oversees the Green Sticker Fund has several "Environmentalists" on it.

The other argument that I've heard is that it is "unfair" to send so much money to one spot.
To this I would say, We are the most popular riding area in California, and probably the US. WE are the ones paying that fee so WE should get our share, even if that share is more than some podunk, backwoods dirt riding area. Add to this the fact that the registration compliance at Glamis, that is, how many people actually PAY their green sticker fees, is MUCH higher than the national average.

This topic is a good one. One that deserves to be debated. Anyone out there have some good info on this subject?

PastorVor

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May the Dune Gods Smile Upon You
ShiftingDunes.com

[This message has been edited by Voice of Reason (edited 01-16-2002).]

quote:

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One problem is, or so I've been told, the comitee that oversees the Green Sticker Fund has several "Environmentalists" on it.

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Are these Elected comitee members? If so
I think this is a good place to start. If NOT
I think this is a good place to start

I was told a while back that the Green sticker money went to a general fund that anyone could use. And that it was not set a side for off roaders. I also heard that people like greens can use it for some of there anti offroading propaganda.
So there you go you money being used against you.

I am not that well versed on Green Sticker fees but I belive that the comittee members are apointed, not elected, and that the Green Sticker Fee money has been used for everything from riding areas to closing riding areas... But not general fund. It is money that is set asside, seperate from the rest of California's budget. Thank god, because Califorina is in the middle of a huge deficit right now!

Vor

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May the Dune Gods Smile Upon You
ShiftingDunes.com