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| 3/5/2010 9:33:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | DNR task force nets more than $10k from citations
$4,820 alone came from forfeitures issued to snowmobile operators
A DNR task force set up in the Minocqua area during the town's Cruiserfest weekend Feb. 12 and 13, generated revenue from citations they issued during the event that totaled $10,569.
That and other information was provided to The Lakeland Times after a request was made to the DNR.
Visitors and area residents have accused the DNR task force personnel of "unfriendly" treatment of snowmobile operators during that weekend.
Those angered are also accusing the task force personnel of harassing snowmobile operators and visitors with a method of operation they felt was unfriendly, discourteous and unwanted.
The Lakeland Times received reports from area residents and visitors about what they felt were "strong arm" tactics used by DNR personnel to enforce snowmobile on-trail and off-trail regulations. Some visitors said they were so upset by their contact with the DNR that weekend that they vowed not to return to the area for next year's event.
Todd Schaller, section chief of the DNR's Recreation Safety Enforcement Division, told The Lakeland Times for an earlier article, that he was informed that the task force had issued 34 citations, 75 verbal warnings and made five arrests for operating while intoxicated during Cruiserfest.
Schaller said the highest number of citations written were for exceeding the 55 mph nighttime speed limit (6) and the next highest was for OWI (5).
He said despite rumors claiming otherwise, the DNR had only 13 people manning the Cruiserfest operation. Schaller said that of the 13 people, six were from outside the Minocqua area. The remainder already work in the Minocqua-Woodruff area.
"The Minocqua-Woodruff deployment was the snowmobile accident reduction team's (SART) fourth such deployment of the season with numerous positive comments and support from trail users, businesses and legislators on the SART efforts," said Schaller.
Schaller said expenses for three double rooms for the six DNR staff members at The Pointe Hotel and Suites during the Cruiserfest weekend totaled $759. He did not have a final total on the cost for meals for the personnel, but said it could have been as high as $612, which would be the maximum allowed by the DNR. The total cost for expenses from that weekend totaled $1,371.
According to Schaller, during the budget process for the state's fiscal year 2010 the public, legislators and Gov. Jim Doyle felt snowmobile safety, specifically the concerns with alcohol and speed involving snowmobile fatalities, was a priority. Schaller said in that process $48,000 was provided to the DNR for SART deployments throughout Wisconsin.
Schaller said SART's main purpose is to perform high visibility patrols and snowmobile enforcement.
"The desired effect is a reduction of the number of fatal snowmobile accidents and overall compliance with snowmobile regulations," Schaller said. "The team patrol focus is on areas with high snowmobile use, special snowmobile events and past occurrences of fatal snowmobile accidents."
Costs for those ticketed
According to Schaller, of the $10,569 total for money generated by the task force:
• Forfeitures totaled $4,825;
• Penalty surcharges totaled $1,254;
• Court costs were reported to be $4,400; and
• Snowmobile registration restitution surcharges totaled $90.
In contrast to the 34 citations and 75 warnings issued by DNR personnel during Cruiserfest, Minocqua police chief Andy Gee said members of his department had seven contacts related to snowmobiling during the same weekend.
Of the seven contacts, Gee said two were assisting DNR personnel, one was issuing a snowmobiler a ticket for operating while intoxicated, three others were verbal warnings and the last was responding to a snowmobile fire over the weekend.
Minocqua town chairman Joe Handrick, who had criticized the DNR's conduct that weekend said that he has had no contact from the DNR since the event.
"Our police chief did show me the tickets our people issued that weekend and I thought they were all appropriate," Handrick said.
Handrick said earlier that he saw no reason for the DNR to have had the task force in Minocqua in the first place.
"This is a family-oriented event," Handrick said.
Joe VanDeLaarschot can be reached via email at jvandelaarschot@lakelandtimes.com.
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Reader Comments
Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010
Article comment by:
Ed Nelson
I think back several years when similar DNR actions caused Senator Jauch to call the wardens
"robo cops". That same year he got a one-time award from the wardens.
Lakeland Times, DNR, and politicians all empty drums making a lot of noise. Tell those who got citations they can always plead not guilty.
Posted: Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Article comment by:
Ron Weber
Maybe the complainers got it wrong. maybe those cited got everything they deserved. I had two incidents with snowmobilers last weekend while ice fishing. 4 groups of snowmobiles came into the bay I was fishing during the course of the day and two of them were a bunch of losers. One group drove near my truck, one knucklehead withing 15 feet at 50-60 mph. Would have liked to get a hold of him for a minute or two. Another group of 5 were chasing deer around. Snowmobilers vs. law enforcement? I'll bet the law enforcement did just fine and the complainers are those who feel laws pertain to others than themselves.
Posted: Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Article comment by:
Walt Bickelhaupt
If the DNR handed out these tickets to people that were not conforming to the laws, I don't see why you are taking such issue with it. If people didn't have there sleds registered that is against the law You can't drive an old car on the road without registration. You can't drive your car on the road just because you are only a little bit drunk.
Posted: Saturday, March 06, 2010
Article comment by:
The Director
Welcome back to "As the Island Turns." What a soap opera this newspaper has made this town into. You have all the characters of a good drama. The Puppet Police Chief who is wiping his brow stating "thank god my guys didn't write any more tickets that weekend." The Boss Hogg like "chairman" who takes it upon himself to determine if the amount of citations written, and for what, are appropriate. The National Enquirer like newspaper fueling it all. And of course, don't forget every story must have an evil villian. And if the Lakeland Times is writing the story, then that evil villian will most certainly always be the DNR. More comdedy than drama really. I look forward to next weeks conclusion.
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