I was riding by myself a couple of weekends back in some trails near my dad’s house. I knew there was a pistol range nearby (we can hear them from my dad’s house sometimes) and I wanted to make sure I was not in the downrange area. I was riding along on one part of the trail and something didn’t look right. I stopped immediately, cut my quad off and started to look around and ask a person if it was safe for me to continue to follow the trails or if this was private property. At that very moment, a police officer walks around the bend towards me and asked what the hell was I doing. I took off my helmet (being respectful) walked up to him, shook his hand, told him my name and asked if this was private property. His response was “Turn around and put your hands behind your back.” I never thought I would get handcuffed for being nice. He takes my ID, runs a warrant check and proceeds to lecture me for riding near a pistol range. I was trying to explain to him that I knew the range was near but I didn’t know exactly where and that is why I stopped. Turns out, I stopped 100 feet from the down range area so I was not in any danger. The range was closed for maintenance that week as well so not like I could hear the shots and turn around. Long story short, he let me cool my heals for 20 minutes before he let me go. I just thought it was funny seeing as how I was in a position to run and he would have never caught me but I stayed to try and dispel the myth of the average ATVer and I get cuffed. I guess it could have been worse but I thought I was going to jail that day.

 

I think that cop was a little overzealous .. especially considering the manner in which you approached him. Perhaps it was his way of making sure you don't forget the area is a shooting range ??

At least he didn't ticket you, but all the checks and stuff .. were they really necessary? I mean if you had outstanding warrants or prior run-in's you'd have hardly stuck around to ask about the area would you???

 

I don't get it....how on earth do you not know exactly where you are when riding in the immediate area of a shooting range, that is on private property as well?? Looks like the cop was trying to get the point across that you should never be riding in that area again.
Gary

 

Trust me. There were ATV/dirt bike trails all over that area (probably made illegally) and if you don’t exactly know where you are going, you could pass right by the range and not know. That is why I stopped to ask. You can’t see it from the trails. I only noticed it from the surrounding area and since I was in the military, there were certain clues that made me want to stop.

The cop got his point across to me alright. He just didn’t have to put me in handcuffs to do it. I was courteous and respectful to him; no need to escalate the situation. A simple “Hey buddy, this is private property. You need to leave” would have sufficed.

 

After checking your pics you are clearly no kid that needed to be taught a lesson, which was my image of what was going on. So the cufs were definately over the top on the officers part IMO. Why would he have even have been up there anyway? Do you think someone reported you or what?

 

ok i have a ? if this was a safety issue and he wanted to get his point across why weren't there any signes posted to clarify that there is a range nearby and where to stay away from? even if there are alot of renegade trails that isn't your fault they are there and they should be posted for everyone's safety as well. and well sometimes certain cops go on power trips and it makes them feel like they are kings of the world i am sure he would have had fun explaining that one in court if he would have brought you in.

 

Don't think he should have cuffed you. But, 100 feet in any direction of a live range is a danger area. If you look at any shootings at gun ranges, they are all accidents, and nobody was standing at the target area. I aggree they should have some type of warning signs up. Seems like they would have to for liability issues.

 

100% agree............That should be posted all over the place..........Kman01...in the officers defence (best friend is a cop) sometimes they cuff you for both of yours saftey. If your cuffed while he is checking you out, the cop stays calm and not gun happy [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]. He can cuff me for 20min....JUST keep that gun holstered! BUT since you aproached him.....he was a touch of an @$$.

 

Good point. I will see if I can talk to the Range Safety Officer and have him post warning signs around that area. Heck, I will put up the signs for him if he has any. I imagine that getting shot while ridding your quad could pretty much ruin your day.

 

[quote]
Originally posted by: ThrashAndCrashUntilItsTrash
Doing the right thing should not result in being handcuffed.