HI Guys,
News rules for channel decided last nite in LHC city council.
Rick
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By BRIAN DiTULLIO / LHC News
Tuesday, May 3, 2005 10:58 PM MDT
City Council has given the police permission to begin enforcing tighter restrictions on the Bridgewater Channel.
At a work session Tuesday night, Capt. Randy McCaleb of the Lake Havasu City Police Department outlined recommendations to City Council on how they could curb outrageous behavior that increasingly has become a problem along the manmade waterway.
"The problem areas are more to the south of the channel," said McCaleb. "But we wanted to look at several options."
The report to council notes the channel has become increasingly popular over the years as a "party" location. However, the closure of Copper Canyon and the Sandbar has resulted in an increased number of arrests related to unruly behavior and an increased police presence in the channel on the weekends.
After proposing a number of alternatives, the police are recommending suggested changes in two phases.
In phase one, they would restrict the number of watercraft mooring in the Bridgewater Channel by signs and through police officer contact by 27 percent, or about 187 boats. This option would help reduce crowds and give greater visibility to police officers, reducing the "anonymity" of people in the crowds.
McCaleb also said that the reduction would help with navigation in that area, especially when the water level is lower.
In addition, police are recommending restricting or closing the channel after the number of watercraft entering the channel reaches a level that would promote unruly behavior or propose a safety hazard.
McCaleb said this policy was unofficially tried last weekend due to lack of manpower when the carbon monoxide levels rose high enough to prompt safety forces to close the channel to further traffic. McCaleb noted the "party" atmosphere calmed almost immediately and the carbon monoxide levels dropped rapidly back to acceptable levels.
Councilman Don Clark disputed some of the closure areas and no decision was made as to that part of the plan.
The last part of phase one proposes establishing more trash receptacles and more timely pick-ups by private vendors.
Phase two of the project would have City Council look into developing city ordinances that address public nudity and pasties and possibly develop a process of requiring permits to moor in the channel.
The city then could sell a specified number of permits for a specific numbered position daily, or for a weekend. Unacceptable behavior would be listed on the permit with the penalty for violation being a revocation of the permit.
An advantage listed for the permits is that boaters then would be able to leave their spot for an excursion and return whenever they would like.
"Generally speaking, boaters now seldom leave the channel during the day as a mooring position is quickly taken if the watercraft is moved," state police in the report. "This lack of space creates a situation where people fight for spots and cannot move their boat all day."
Clark also opposed the permitting system, saying it would be a "nightmare" to administer and create a "socialistic" environment.
Clark advocated one-way traffic, noting the success of the experiment last weekend.
Phase two would require legislation to enforce, but phase one could be implemented through stricter enforcement of existing laws, according to the report to council.
McCaleb acknowledged phase two would take more time to implement, but felt phase one could be done with existing laws and implemented "fairly quickly."