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Thread: And you thought it couldn't get any worse

  1. #1
    thebull
    :eat: Police outline plan for Channel
    By BRIAN DiTULLIO
    Tuesday, May 3, 2005 10:58 PM MDT
    City Council has given the police permission to begin enforcing tighter restrictions on the Bridgewater Channel.
    At a work session Tuesday night, Capt. Randy McCaleb of the Lake Havasu City Police Department outlined recommendations to City Council on how they could curb outrageous behavior that increasingly has become a problem along the manmade waterway.
    "The problem areas are more to the south of the channel," said McCaleb. "But we wanted to look at several options."
    The report to council notes the channel has become increasingly popular over the years as a "party" location. However, the closure of Copper Canyon and the Sandbar has resulted in an increased number of arrests related to unruly behavior and an increased police presence in the channel on the weekends.
    After proposing a number of alternatives, the police are recommending suggested changes in two phases.
    In phase one, they would restrict the number of watercraft mooring in the Bridgewater Channel by signs and through police officer contact by 27 percent, or about 187 boats. This option would help reduce crowds and give greater visibility to police officers, reducing the "anonymity" of people in the crowds.
    McCaleb also said that the reduction would help with navigation in that area, especially when the water level is lower.
    In addition, police are recommending restricting or closing the channel after the number of watercraft entering the channel reaches a level that would promote unruly behavior or propose a safety hazard.
    McCaleb said this policy was unofficially tried last weekend due to lack of manpower when the carbon monoxide levels rose high enough to prompt safety forces to close the channel to further traffic. McCaleb noted the "party" atmosphere calmed almost immediately and the carbon monoxide levels dropped rapidly back to acceptable levels.
    Councilman Don Clark disputed some of the closure areas and no decision was made as to that part of the plan.
    The last part of phase one proposes establishing more trash receptacles and more timely pick-ups by private vendors.
    Phase two of the project would have City Council look into developing city ordinances that address public nudity and pasties and possibly develop a process of requiring permits to moor in the channel.
    The city then could sell a specified number of permits for a specific numbered position daily, or for a weekend. Unacceptable behavior would be listed on the permit with the penalty for violation being a revocation of the permit.
    An advantage listed for the permits is that boaters then would be able to leave their spot for an excursion and return whenever they would like.
    "Generally speaking, boaters now seldom leave the channel during the day as a mooring position is quickly taken if the watercraft is moved," state police in the report. "This lack of space creates a situation where people fight for spots and cannot move their boat all day."
    Clark also opposed the permitting system, saying it would be a "nightmare" to administer and create a "socialistic" environment.
    Clark advocated one-way traffic, noting the success of the experiment last weekend.
    Phase two would require legislation to enforce, but phase one could be implemented through stricter enforcement of existing laws, according to the report to council.
    McCaleb acknowledged phase two would take more time to implement, but felt phase one could be done with existing laws and implemented "fairly quickly."
    - You may contact the reporter at ditullio@havasunews.com :eat:

  2. #2
    h2oski2fast
    It would only be temporary, because revenue will suffer in the LB Village.

  3. #3
    Not So Fast
    Sat thru the meeting last nite :argue: GOD was that boring but worth it just to hear the end subject on the channel. I am one who thinks the channel behavior problem does need to be addressed but some of these proposals are just outrageous. Like I said in my post, how can we allow them to take away 3 or 4 sections 400 feet long of the best mooring in the channel??? Want to know where, the south entrance island side for one, another section island side in the turn, mainland side south of KoKoMo's and I thought one more but at that point I was so friggin mad I didnt care. All I can say is we had ALL and I mean ALL of us that enjoy the good times had in the channel make our voices heard loud and clear :boxingguy NSF OH yeah, go out in the street and measure off 400 ft so you know what we are giving up!!!

  4. #4
    Kachina26
    Permits sound like a revenue measure, not a control measure.

  5. #5
    jbtrailerjim
    Well this just sucks!! I have been frequenting the channel for many years now and I agree there is some definte problems that needed to be addressed. Although I was hoping they would have come up with a better solution than this. It's such a shame, that a handfull of idiots are ruining it for the majority who frequent the channel and obey the laws.
    Where can I write to or send an e-mail to voice my opinion to the city council?

  6. #6
    nhbuoy
    Seems pretty simple to me...Don't act like a bunch of drunken children, pick up your trash, play well with the other kids, you don't have to prove your stereo is the loudest in the universe, and women...keep your clothes on...

  7. #7
    boxscore
    It's such a shame, that a handfull of idiots are ruining it for the majority who frequent the channel and obey the laws.
    That's the bottom line here. You can't expect the city to stand by with their thumbs up their arsses while this $hit goes on. Those who disrecpect the area will cause us all grief in the long run. Ever notice the trash littered all over the place after a busy day? I'm sure the city pays for the cleanup...causes certain deficits in certain budget areas, then they have a the typical gov't kneejerk reaction of taxing the easiest target.

  8. #8
    Not So Fast
    That's the bottom line here. You can't expect the city to stand by with their thumbs up their arsses while this $hit goes on. Those who disrecpect the area will cause us all grief in the long run. Ever notice the trash littered all over the place after a busy day? I'm sure the city pays for the cleanup...causes certain deficits in certain budget areas, then they have a the typical gov't kneejerk reaction of taxing the easiest target.
    exactly right !!! and one of my solutions as stated before is ala Sheriff Joe, mandantory 2 days of picking up trash and raking rocks in a pink jumpsuit alond the channel and the 95, this would save the city $$$$ for more LEO's and dont think it can't be done just see what Sheriff joe has already done in the Phoenix area. NSF

  9. #9
    Stealth Marine
    Here is a RADICAL thought.
    Just OPEN THE SANDBAR back up and releive some of the congestion in the channel.

  10. #10
    OutCole'd
    Here is a RADICAL thought.
    Just OPEN THE SANDBAR back up and releive some of the congestion in the channel.
    The sad thing is the Sandbar has been open so far this year, and these things are still going on. It's the 2%, there going to be everywhere.

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