Hello Everyone,


I'm sure some of you remember me from the old forums with my posts asking you to help police your fellow riders. Well I'm back!

The Tonopah area has seen a ENORMOUS increase in the amount of OHV riders here along the Hassayampa river. Unfortunately this is because of closures in other traditional riding areas due to reckless riding, development, and trespassing. Well here is some terrible news for everyone that loves to ride out here in the tonopah area, THERE VERY LITTLE PUBLIC LAND IN THE AREA! Most of this land here is not posted nor is it fenced, put it is private. And in the river all of the land south of I-10 is private or leased state land which reverts to private land in the eyes of the law. Many of the residents (read Land Owners) have been getting fed up with the OHV riders running their vehicles across private property, destroying the area, making roads, creating MASSIVE amounts of dust, Garbage, and setting up camps on their land.

I ask you as a sports group to stop and think of the Image portrayed by the guy you see and know is on private property, or running down the public road, or camping where he shouldn't be. This is how land is closed to riders and more importantly this is how you loose you privileges of owning and operating OHV's period. Look at how many areas have been closed to vehicle access in this state alone in the last few years. Why were these areas closed??? Quite simply because OHV Riders have allowed the bad apples to portray the image of of un ECO friendly law breaking OHV Riders as the Public image.

I and the community of Tonopah ask you to stop and think what image do you want to portray?? While I know most of the OHVer's out there are law abiding responsible people the bad apples can ruin the image of all OHV Riders. So next time your out, or next time your talking with someone about riding tell them to make double sure about the land they are riding on, tread lightly, and pick up your trash. If you don't you can lose the ability to ride anywhere near town, maybe even at all.

Also for your knowledge Trespassing is defined as

Knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully on any real property after a reasonable request to leave by the owner or any other person having lawful control over such property, or reasonable notice prohibiting entry.
Now if these conditions are met the above definition increases from a Class 3 Misdemeanor to a Class 6 Felony
A person commits criminal trespass in the first degree by knowingly:
1. Entering or remaining unlawfully in or on a residential structure or in a fenced residential yard; or
2. Entering any residential yard and, without lawful authority, looking into the residential structure thereon in reckless disregard of infringing on the inhabitant's right of privacy.
3. Entering unlawfully on real property subject to a valid mineral claim or lease with the intent to hold, work, take or explore for minerals on such claim or lease.
4. Entering or remaining unlawfully on the property of another and burning, defacing, mutilating or otherwise desecrating a religious symbol or other religious property of another without the express permission of the owner of the property.
B. Criminal trespass in the first degree is a class 6 felony if it is committed by entering or remaining unlawfully in or on a residential structure or committed pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 4. Criminal trespass in the first degree is a class 1 misdemeanor if it is committed by entering or remaining unlawfully in a fenced residential yard or committed pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 2 or 3

Again Thank you for your help in helping to control the bad apples.

Kevin AKA-Troubled in Tonopah