Enforcing laws

[BOURBONBALES]

Who is responsible for enforcing the laws on public waterways? In particular creeks and rivers that run through a city or town? I know if a conservation officer is on the water doing boat checks or things of that nature of course he/she would be responsible, but lets say for instance enforcing no wake zones that aren't regularly monitored. I talked to a friend of mine the other day who said that if no conservation officer was available in the area then it was the responsibility of the local police or sheriffs department. No disrespect to the police and sheriffs departments but i can't see them rushing down to write a citation for a call that someone is running 50 mph in a no wake zone.

[SINK-OR-SWIM]

Local police and sheriffs by statute have the right to enforce laws pertaining to fish and wildlife. However without a boat we couldn't get the people in the no wake zones and probably wouldn't respond to that type of call. However we can and sometimes do check fishing licenses. that just depends on the politics of the community, if you know what i mean!!!!!!

[HURRICANEBOB]

Local police and sheriffs by statute have the right to enforce laws pertaining to fish and wildlife. However without a boat we couldn't get the people in the no wake zones and probably wouldn't respond to that type of call. However we can and sometimes do check fishing licenses. that just depends on the politics of the community, if you know what i mean!!!!!!

SOS:
Does it do any good to call in a violating boats hull numbers/registration number? Or does that just become a "I said, he said" unenforceable?

[SINK-OR-SWIM]

Your right it becomes a he said she said. Because its a violation it needs to occur in the officers presence in order to act.

[HiDefFisherman]

Your right it becomes a he said she said. Because its a violation it needs to occur in the officers presence in order to act.

OK, how about a video of a person committing the violation? Will that work?

Thanks,

HDF

[zx150]

No a video will not work, unless you are taking out a warrant and need that to help prove your case. IE you shot video of a guy hitting your boat with a bat. I'm not trying to start what some of you would do if a guy was hitting your boat with a bat LOL. Merely you could say so and so hit my boat with a bat and caused this crack. He would say no I did not and you could show the video to the court to prove your case. Ryan

[HiDefFisherman]

No a video will not work, unless you are taking out a warrant and need that to help prove your case. IE you shot video of a guy hitting your boat with a bat. I'm not trying to start what some of you would do if a guy was hitting your boat with a bat LOL. Merely you could say so and so hit my boat with a bat and caused this crack. He would say no I did not and you could show the video to the court to prove your case. Ryan

Thanks ZX, btw, if the guy had a bat, I imagine I would retreat. I don't carry a weapon because I have always believed... don't pull a gun unless you are ready to use it. That extrapolates very well into advice about even carrying a weapon. I personally have struggled with my conseince about the damage I have cause in a fight with no weapons, I would hate to have to deal with what I might do if I had a weapon.

I have found as I age, I am much more a Dove than a Hawk. Besides, peace, true peace, can not be accomplished by violence. It is a paradox, pure and simple, yet folks will argue that, just as I have done most of my life.

Tight lines,

HDF

[HURRICANEBOB]

No a video will not work, unless you are taking out a warrant and need that to help prove your case. IE you shot video of a guy hitting your boat with a bat. I'm not trying to start what some of you would do if a guy was hitting your boat with a bat LOL. Merely you could say so and so hit my boat with a bat and caused this crack. He would say no I did not and you could show the video to the court to prove your case. Ryan

Hey.......while the guy is doing that.........yell over to him and just say....."hey man.....smile for the surveillance camera please". Then point to a street light near by or any pole that has some funny looking box on it.

Seriously.....be careful about showing your camera taking pictures of someone doing something bad. Some bad dudes will then decide you and the camera are now the true threat to them, and you may be come the focus of their affection. Be careful out there.....tooooo many seriously wild nut cases running around.