|
The following is from the SMRF Newsletter:
Report on the game warden/law enforcement agencies which met with riverside landowners last week: There was a good number of people in attendance, around 40, and Tom Goynes set up a great meeting site by the river pavilion, with bonfire and hot chocolate and coffee. He has Pecan Park Retreat, a beautiful campground that is used by churches and youth groups these days. The law enforcement agencies represented were Caldwell and Guadalupe County Sheriff's, TABC, DPS, and the game wardens. Martindale Police Chief could not be there due to illness, so their Mayor came. Ronnie Duesterheft, Caldwell County Commissioner, also attended. Since most of the complaints involve Caldwell County, Sheriff Daniel Law is taking a leading role, and he is very happy to have the help of DPS, TABC, game wardens, Martindale and the County Sheriff across the river. His deputies have become very outnumbered and need the help.
The law enforcement agencies will meet once more to plan their strategies, and then there will be a serious and coordinated effort when it warms up, to identify and remove from the river underaged drinkers and those who are causing public disturbances, noise problems, brawls and drug possession. There may be up to ten or twelve cars and "paddy wagons" gathering at any given time, unnannounced, to carry out these operations. This effort is not to disturb or discourage people who are recreating in the rivers, as we all want to encourage safe recreation. This effort is only aimed at those who are breaking the law and causing public health and safety problems, endangering themselves or affecting other people on the river trying to enjoy a peaceful day, and affecting riverside landowners, too.
That said, it must be noted that these law enforcement officers cannot selectively enforce the laws, so please if you know anyone who canoes or kayaks, or fishes, or tubes, remind them that there are laws about underaged drinking, disturbing the public, and littering. Also fishing licenses are required, and life jackets are required on all boats. It might be best to carry i.d. with you, pinned or zipped inside a pocket with your car key. The law officers can still look you up if you do not have i.d. with you, on their computers which will be set up for that purpose in their cars. But it just makes it quicker and easier to move on if you have your i.d., if you get stopped with a crowd. Anyway, if anything ever happened to you on the river, you would want i.d. on you, say if you were hurt or unconscious.
Also re other rules that you should follow on the river: If you need to portage around a dam or rapid, which is allowed by state law, stay close to the bank and do not picnic or camp on private property, or leave trash there. Road crossings on the SM River are a good place to stop, but still do not leave trash there and do not block the road. Follow parking restriction signs at Westerfield Crossing and do not park anywhere near the river. Keep in mind that these officers are just trying to keep the river safe for everyone, and get the problems under control before someone dies trying to drink too much while recreating on the water, especially at night, which is particularly dangerous and becoming very common in that area. So thank them for being there if you see them! If there are problems between now and the crack-down, call the Caldwell County Sheriff, or the Sheriff in your county if Caldwell cannot handle that event.
|