Police were spotted chasing down ATVs in Dominion that were in violation of the Off-Road Vehicle Act of Nova Scotia this weekend. The Mayor and Council (well two shown HERE ) have scrapped an Active Transportation trail in favour of an ATV trail that has caused an increase of at least 10-fold in this type of illegal activity in our communities. There is no evidence that the scrapping of an Active Transportation trail was brought before council where discussions could have been had about the expected increase in crime and the increase in time and money for Police response to these crimes. Now it is a policing problem!

So....

Residents in CBRM are encouraged to report these crimes so that council can assess the magnitude of this unsanctioned mistake. Lots of data has already been collected but more is needed on this illegal activity.

Call  East Division of Police Services at 902-563-5151 to report any sightings of ATVs or snow mobiles off the trail. You do not have to give your name (anonymous) and the dispatcher should not argue with you whether or not it is illegal. It is illegal. ATVs are only allowed off the trail to be loaded on to a truck or trailer or to cross a road at 90 degrees, to stay on the trail, that's it. They are not permitted by law to drive an ATV to work, go to TIMs to get a coffee, drive the ATV to the trail or to go get a beer or anything else. They are not permitted on any private or public property unless they have written permission. This is unsafe and illegal in Nova Scotia.

The mayor and council should be educating the public of the dangers and criminal nature of this activity and encouraging them to report these incidences. They should not be partaking in any public displays that increase in this illegal activity in the first place. Statistics and reports show that this illegal activity will increase death and injury in our communities and the Mayor and Council should be aware of this by now.  This is not an IMHO, it is fact.