Local Laws at the Launch

[firechildc]

Re: Local Laws at the Launch

You know, I do not like to call in the cavalry so to speak, not a big fan of Government/Family intervention.....However there really could be a child welfare issue to address. If it is the same family over and over, and documentation is produced that shows they continually and intentionally place their children in harm's way, i.e. order them over to behind the boat after the boat has started down the ramp, then the adults need to be cited if for no other reason than to get the address and other legal ID. Then next logical thing is a visit from social services to the family's household to emphasize the danger they placed their children in.

I absolutely totally agree with you, and others with similar comments. I don't like the fact that I had to go to the mayor's office either. That's why we first went to the park ranger. My next step, originally, was to wait till my next trip to the ramp, and call PD when it happens again. I don't like the idea of more laws, regulations, or restrictions either. Government sticks their nose in our lives enough. Completely agree there.

However, after talking with half a dozen boaters at the bait shop, I decided we only had one option left open to us. Several of these gentleman had reported the issue. They have called police, but they say police either never showed up, or told the boat owner it was their responsibility not to hit a child… not for the child to get out of the way. They warned the boaters, "If the kids won't move, just take your boat and launch it somewhere else." Only problem is, there ISN'T another public ramp anywhere nearby for this river.

Our law enforcement is very, VERY reactionary. They don't do squat till someone gets hurt. Heck, they don't even respond to minor calls anymore. My aim here is to PREVENT some poor child from getting hurt. After all that info from other boaters added to my own experience, I decided going to local gov't was the only route.

 

[firechildc]

Re: Local Laws at the Launch

Overall, I fault the park ranger (well, besides the Mama Bear with her cubs). He was the one with no backbone or interest in doing his job.

Any cop anywhere can write anyone a ticket for any dangerous activity--even moreso when children are endangered. it doesn't take a specific statute. Even the good old "disorderly conduct" ticket will do.

Also, you don;t need a sign or law that says specifically it's illegal to block others from using a ramp or otehr public facility. That's basically what they were doing--just as much as setting up their beach chairs on the ramp itself.

With a "no swimming" ordinance the cop could write a ticket if it was one guy taking a dip on a Tuesday morning with no one around. But endangerment/safety laws are general enough to apply anywhere. Signs help but aren't required--think of all the laws that are enforced with no signs present (ever see a "NO ROBBING" sign at a bank?)

Next tiome someone is in this situation, start by getting the cop on your side. If you can, quietly discuss the situation with him away from the mob. But get him to agree with you that what the trolls are doing is dangerous. once he agrees it's dangerous, especially as to the children, he pretty much has to stand them down. if he say s something but doesn't back it up, then a kid gets hurt, he's in trouble. Gently remind him of that if needed!

Generally, I agree. However. This park is right along a river and every picnic spot in the park is right on the waters edge, with no brush blocking access. There really is no logical reason to want to swim in the boat ramp area, even when there is no one around. Far too many access points for swimmers… but only one for boats.

As for getting a cop on our side… I mentioned it in an earlier post, but local police announced they will no longer respond to minor calls… like domestic disturbance, minor fender benders, home alarms (unless you pay a fee to the city) etc… so calling a cop to report kids swimming in the boat ramp would get a no response. I've heard other boaters tell me that happened to them.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Local Laws at the Launch

Firechild, I think you did the right thing(s). If that same family keeps it up with their kids as targets then I think even more involvement by an agency or two is justified.

 

[Brian 26]

Re: Local Laws at the Launch

Or pull out a camera and put them on the stupid human sections on u tube. And tell them your doing it.

 

[firechildc]

Re: Local Laws at the Launch

View attachment 224902View attachment 224904

The first picture is "shocking". {{{snare hit******

Thank you… i'll be here all week. Don't forget to tip your waitresses.

 

[Brian 26]

Re: Local Laws at the Launch

There was actually a line of people at the ramp waiting for the first guy. Surprise surprise, it never did start, he just kept cranking it until it stopped cranking. :facepalm:

 

[firechildc]

Re: Local Laws at the Launch

Did anyone approach the guy and tell him, "Hey Bozo… before you connect those jumper cables, could you add me to your will?"

 

[agallant80]

Re: Local Laws at the Launch

Do what I do. Go to the ramp with the mid set that you are going to have to deal with some a-hole, clueless owner or newb. When you go the the ramp expecting to deal with these type of people its a lot less stress than being caught off guard. Oh and remember on your way back in someone will cut in front of you while you are waiting for the dock to free up and of course they are going to take forever.

 

[bassman284]

Re: Local Laws at the Launch

Or you could move to Iowa where we have no ramp grief worth mentioning. I'm always amazed at the nasty ramp happenings posted here. I've been boating for around 25 years and just haven't experienced any of that.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Local Laws at the Launch

Or you could move to Iowa where we have no ramp grief worth mentioning. I'm always amazed at the nasty ramp happenings posted here. I've been boating for around 25 years and just haven't experienced any of that.

You don't have metro Detroit in your back yard either. Anytime you have excessive people, you will find bad or rude, selfish act's. Nothing new really.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Local Laws at the Launch

Or you could move to Iowa where we have no ramp grief worth mentioning. I'm always amazed at the nasty ramp happenings posted here. I've been boating for around 25 years and just haven't experienced any of that.

not so bad here although I don't frequent the public ramps to go boating, but when I do go by they all seem OK. Our GMA is over a million and our waterways are right in town, but there is so much water there are so many options, in town and out in the country close by, that it gets spread around well, I guess.

We have a perceived need for more ramps, even private ones, but the cost of land acquisition alone for waterfront ramps and parking is prohibitive. But there are some secret ramps that are seldom used, too.

I know of one at Rudee Inlet that opens to the ocean that gets full and lots of traffic, local and tourist, so lots of inexperienced folks and aholes during busy times.

We have urban ramps where the boaters go during the day and the thugs go at night and the former doesn't want to be there when the latter is there. We have our share of people fishing off the piers but not in such quantities to be a real problem. And there is a redneck region with a party cove where mullets and rebel flag bikinis on heffers are proudly displayed, so I expect the nearby ramp for that gets ugly at sundown.

A few hours inland, where the lakes are, I suspect it's the same as what you all describe.

 

[firechildc]

Re: Local Laws at the Launch

Do what I do. Go to the ramp with the mid set that you are going to have to deal with some a-hole, clueless owner or newb. When you go the the ramp expecting to deal with these type of people its a lot less stress than being caught off guard. Oh and remember on your way back in someone will cut in front of you while you are waiting for the dock to free up and of course they are going to take forever.

That's very good advice. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. I was prepared for these people and not surprised when I got to the ramp. None of it bothered me? the idiots walking behind my trailer as I backed up? the broken beer bottles?. the ten minutes it took me to get the kids out of the way? I was cool?.until those kids jumped in the water two feet from my motor right as I was bringing it to life. If they had jumped in ten seconds later I would have had the boat in reverse and, through no fault of my own, back right into them. That's when I lost my marbles and went off on them. I can deal with rude, pushy, ignorant people?. I deal with them every day. But when someone puts their children in a position to cause an accident like that?. No amount of preparing is going to keep me cool in that situation.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Local Laws at the Launch

We have urban ramps where the boaters go during the day and the thugs go at night and the former doesn't want to be there when the latter is there.

Sounds like you are describing the public launch out on Willoughby Spit

 

[sndmntboy]

Re: Local Laws at the Launch

We used to have a problem with people camped out on the dock fishing. There was a no swimming sign but not a no fishing sign. Thankfully over the winter the city tore down the old dock and put in a nice new floating dock with a sign that says no fishing. Most people will get out of your way but there are some with the "I was here first" mentality.

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: Local Laws at the Launch

I know the local lakes here (WV) are sometimes a minor issue with people fishing on them or having a kid splashing around but for the most part even these folks will move when needed and even help boaters in. And if they are seen by a game warden they are moved, period. Of course there are exceptions....One morning we went to Elk Fork near Ripley and were still on the prep area when a lot of cars came rolling in....All nice dressed church folk. Since the water was milky they went straight to the only launch ramp and baptized about 10 people..... There were about a dozen boats out and 3-4 were coming in and they just circled around for awhile. No one got majorly upset. After all you don't want the church mad at you, LOL. They did try to hurry anyway.....

 

[cribber]

Re: Local Laws at the Launch

We have this problem every year at one of our local ramps. There are signs posted saying No Fishing and another that's posted No Swimming. Once the weather warms the people who can't read start swimming and fishing off the courtesy docks. I've pulled poles into the water snagging their lines with my prop. Condolences for your loss of that nice Pflueger rod and reel combo :lol:

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Local Laws at the Launch

Sounds like you are describing the public launch out on Willoughby Spit

Willoughby is fine. Gilmerton in Norfolk and the one in Newport News are reported to be the bad ones.