Safety Checks on the Lakes and Highways

[ArkansasTravelle r]

It has now been determined by the law enforcement community that we can re label road blocks and sobriety checks as "safety checks" thereby getting around the probable cause issue as well as the requirement that dates and times be published. Last Saturday, an aquaintence on a slow moving homemade barge (3-5 MPH at the most) was safety checked when he clearly had life jackets displayed on his boat( hanging on the interior for all to see) and also had all proper stickers and registrations. The harrasment of boaters and tourists for the past 20 years has led to Mountain Home becoming an okay town with a Meth problem while the tourists are staying away in droves. Consistantly, the breach of civil liberties in Baxter County has given rise to the notion that the area is truly against growth and wishes only to remain a bastion for those poor souls that were consistantly beat up in high school and later became law enforcement officials. Absolutely NO WHERE have I seen the casual issuing of badges and authority. We recently had a Court Clerk conviction for theft. How many of THOSE has this area had in the past twenty years or so.....not necessarily just clerks but slightly "left of center" personnel in authority? The Tourists are not coming back...they're off to Hot Springs, Branson, Beaver Lake, Lake of the Ozarks, The Spring River, Taneycomo...anywhere but this area. As citizens, we've allowed it to happen. I am one of the law abiding citizens that has NEVER had a ticket of any sort. However, Ive been stopped on the lake at least twice per summer for the past 3-4 years.
Retirees from the Northern States moved here because they liked the freedom of the area, tourists came for the beauty and natural resources. Very odd how the town and county return the favor of those tax and spending dollars. If we're willing to sacrifice liberty for freedom, we're deserving of neither. I think I'm onto something here.

[ArkansasTravelle r]

Additionally, this past weekend, another aquaintence drowned during a boating incident when he jumped without a life saving device from his ski boat while it was moving. I don't know if alcohol was involved but I do realize that accidents happen and no matter the number of life jackets on his ski boat, he wasn't wearing one. Would a safety check have saved my other aquaintence? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Are we saving lives or generating revenue from those who choose to spend their excess disposable income in the area?
We should have law enforcement that is reactionary versus proactive. Education and information, and teaching of good citizenship are the proactive measures. If you see or experience a broken law or someone is hurt by the actions of another then the law enforcment community has a place to act....otherwise get the hell off my boat and go look for drunks that are weaving or boaters that are driving recklessly!

[ArkansasTravelle r]

Another example of proactive law enforcement would be to pull someone over driving some sort of exotic foreign sports car because it looks like he "just might" go faster than the speed limit, sooner or later. Obviously, this is a ludicrous situation and probably wouldn't happen, even here but you get my drift....

[Marian]

Ding,ding,ding!!!! We have a winner.

[Local yocal]

Preach on brother!

[Cherlynn78]

Thank Goddess someone finally has a clue!

[ArkansasExpatria te]

I've always thought the Corp of Engineers took the position that tourism is a nuisance on the North Arkansas lakes. These lakes were watersheds to control flooding in the Arkansas Valley.....not places to camp and swim. Funny how a community shot it self in the foot like this. This area could have been a Branson if we just had highway connectivity and local leaders that were for growth

[Local yocal]

I'm thinking about how much fun it would be if the law protected and served the community rather than protecting their own livlihood and serving themselves. If the citizens of Iran can stand up against THAT sort of crookedness, why won't the business leaders here DO SOMETHING to clean this place up. It just takes a spark to light the powder keg of change!

[ArkansasTravelle r]

I love it! The pen is mightier than the sword. I wonder what the marina owners think about this issue. I wonder what the hoteliers, restaurateurs, retail stores, Service establishments, Gas stations, Real Estate developers, Car dealers, Boat dealers, Airport authority, and .......the guy that works 8-5 for $7/ hour thinks. I'm just curious why you don't do something about it!!

[Phillip Mark Marchant]

Well, the Fourth of July is upon us. I'll absolutely make a bet that the patrol boats will be out there boarding boats, harassing motorists, generating revenue for the county, etc.
I find it humorous that the the deputies and all of their Cadre' can hang out and drink to the point of inebriation at "Big E" on Lake Norfork with no fear while the taxpayer at large who pays a much larger share of the tax burden ( deputies aren't paid very much , folks ) has his boat boarded, searched, and his guests questioned whenever these fools sober up and get in their patrol boats. These guys really think this town and this lake belong to them. I just don't understand how Mountain Home becfame a "BARNEY FIEFDOM" bt it did.

[nosensehillbilli es]

http://redriverpak.files.wordpress.com/2008/1...

[sportin]

nosensehillbillies wrote:

http://redriverpak.files.wordpress.com/2008/1...

cute--I get it--but 2 years ago we went out to watch the fireworks on the lake near Henderson on the 3rd of July--when they were over, we were trying to get back to our boat dock without getting hit by drunks driving way too fast in boats (some with no lights)and it was very dangerous--the wake was awful (we were in a large boat) and there were entirely too many parents with too much to drink and a boat full of children--I say-"PULL 'EM OVER & OFF THE LAKE)

[nosensehillbilli es]

sportin wrote:

<quoted text>
cute--I get it--but 2 years ago we went out to watch the fireworks on the lake near Henderson on the 3rd of July--when they were over, we were trying to get back to our boat dock without getting hit by drunks driving way too fast in boats (some with no lights)and it was very dangerous--the wake was awful (we were in a large boat) and there were entirely too many parents with too much to drink and a boat full of children--I say-"PULL 'EM OVER & OFF THE LAKE)

Oh, I agree with you about all the drunks out there. Way too many. Not good.

[Avid Boater]

That is why we never go back to the dock when the fireworks are over. We will sit in the cove until the lake clears out for the simple fact that we would rather live then try to get back quick.

[sportin]

Avid Boater wrote:

That is why we never go back to the dock when the fireworks are over. We will sit in the cove until the lake clears out for the simple fact that we would rather live then try to get back quick.

I would rather the drunks were not out there to start with--it is way too dangerous...

[Phillip Mark Marchant]

I personally think that the economy is just in such bad shape that that the local governments have to get the cash flow somewhere and tourists are the easiest source. Remember the old saying, " Come to Baxter County on vacation and leave on probation " It still holds firm.

[Phillip Mark Marchant]

Also, if you are afraid of the massive quantity of boaters that are out there....you probably should stay off of the lake.Being scared of being hit by a drunk is not the same thing as actually being hit by one. If you don't like gamblin' then don't go to Las Vegas. If you don't like to be around a crowd of boaters..........keep whining about it and sooner or later, you'll be the only one left.

[Phillip Mark Marchant]

Avid Boater wrote:

That is why we never go back to the dock when the fireworks are over. We will sit in the cove until the lake clears out for the simple fact that we would rather live then try to get back quick.

It would be dangerous to drive back quickly under any circumstance with a crowd that large. I think you are wise to sit it out and let the crowd thin. Regardless of alcohol, that many boats is a danger

[Avid Boater]

I will say the rangers were out in force this past weekend and I was very grateful. We had two pontoons pull up beside our boat on the lake with a bunch of drunk young women on the top trying to disrobe in front of all the families out there. The men on the pontoon were loud and foul mouthed. It was disgusting especially when I had my children, my brothers children, and another little girl on our pontoon.

When we were leaving..........the rangers had pulled them over......like I said...Grateful they were doing their job.

[Phillip Mark Marchant]

I never have the luck you do! Im usually just out there on my boat and these possum cops board my boat for no real reason. You must have been very very close to them to observe their foul language. If the women actually disrobed, were they standing naked on the roof of the houseboat? Was the boat in motion or setting still?

First of all nudity should not be viewed as this horrible thing that it is. But, America was colonized but Puritans and lots of things bothered the Puritans. In the old days, they would have burned these nude women as witches. I imagine that you are for that too? Regardless, we can all come up with some circumstance where someone doesnt like the behavior of another because it doesnt conform to their own lifestyle. I believe even profanity is protected under the constitution. Lets see if I have this right, People were excercising their right to assemble and their right to free speech. Were any crimes being committed? People forget about these rights And yet, for the citizens of Baxter County, Gun Control is almost the only issue. No matter what else is on the ballet, that one issue is so pivotal that they ignore the others completely.