DEC: Detailing seems to be helping

Complain though ticket holders might, officers in the state Department of Environmental Conservation felt that their collaborative efforts to make trails safer may have had an impact on area snowmobilers.

According to Public Relations Officer Steven Littweiler, the Herkimer County DEC was behind Fastrac in Dolgeville handing out tickets during the weekend of Feb. 23 and 24, issuing about 32 just Saturday and Sunday alone.

Environmental Conservation Police Officer Lt. Matthew Jacoby said that the detail was not something unusual.

"New York State Conservation Police conducted snowmobile safety checks in the towns of Salisbury and Manheim," he said. "We hold snowmobile details all the time, and it seems to work. With all the accidents that have been happening lately, you can never be too careful, and snowmobilers too need to realize that. We routinely do these and I think it's important to let people know we are out there."

Saturday's detail in southern Herkimer County took place behind the gas station where many snowmobilers might stop between trails to fill up, take a rest or grab something to eat or drink. "In three hours we handed out about 21 tickets," Jacoby said.

Under the lieutenant's direction, Officers Darryl Lucas, Steve Shaw and Carl Gill checked several hundred snowmobilers for their required insurance and registration, he said. "Additionally, snowmobilers were checked for alcohol and drug related offenses as well as modified exhaust systems," Jacoby said. "Modified exhaust systems create unnecessary noise and are a growing complaint among residents in populated areas."

During the two-day detail, 20 individuals were issued tickets for a total of 32. Ten were for unregistered snowmobiles, nine were for uninsured snowmobiles, seven tickets were issued for failure to provide proof of insurance, four were for modified exhaust, one was for failure to comply with lawful order and another was for failure to display registration.

"Violations of the Parks and Recreation Law for no insurance and modified exhausts are punishable by a fine up to $250 and/or 15 days in jail," Jacoby said. "Fines for failure to follow the rules of the road under the Parks and Recreation Law are punishable by a fine up to $150 and/or 15 days in jail. Failure to register a snowmobile is a violation of the Vehicle and Traffic Law and is punishable by a fine up to $250."

The tickets are returnable to the Manheim and Salisbury town courts at later dates.