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.....Coalition against ORV Nuisances
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Q: We moved to the country for peace. The ORV riding in our neighborhood is driving us crazy. How can we stop this? A: Try talking with your neighbors. Perhaps they are reasonable people who don't realize they are disturbing the peace of the neighborhood. Perhaps they are willing to compromise. Mediators can assist. Perhaps you can bribe the kid on the motorbike next door by buying him a used car instead - it's cheaper than a lawyer. Q: I tried talking with the neighbors, but they don't care. They ride all weekend and are inviting friends over to ride. A: Check out our list of Resources. ORCAA can send them a warning, then a citation, for dust and emissions. If they are riding in environmentally sensitive land or damaging drainage ditches, David Farr can investigate and cite them. Q: Can't they go somewhere else? A: Yes. There are designated ORV trails in Capitol Forest and elsewhere. Q: Aren't there laws against this kind of activity in residential areas? A: The cities do prohibit ORV riding in city limits. The Police should be able to cite offenders. Q: Aren't there laws protecting the peace in the County? A: ORV riding usually violates the noise ordinances (see Facts and Laws), but the Thurston County Sheriff's Office currently appears unwilling to enforce these ordinances against ORVs. The Sheriff's Office should be informed of every violation anyway (911 or 740-2740). Q: How can we get the laws enforced? A: Two options: elect a new sheriff, or take the offenders to court. CORVN founders describe our success in court on the Resouces page. Meanwhile, the Sheriff's Office needs to hear about every incident in your neighborhood, even if they won't do anything about it yet. We need to hold law enforcement accountable for enforcing laws. Call 911 or 740-2740. Q: How can we strengthen existing laws? A: The Thurston County Commissioners and Prosecuting Attorney's office are working together to draft new legislation that provides more specific relief against ORV nuisances. The Washington State House and Senate are working on tougher new bills that will be easier to enforce. See our Facts & Laws page, and call your legislator! Q: Will the Sheriff's Office enforce the new laws? A: There is little evidence that the Sheriff's Office is willing to enforce laws against ORV nuisances, as many officers actively support these activities and personally enjoy them. Q: If we can't get the laws enforced by law enforcement, where can we turn? A: As last resort, you can hire a lawyer. This is expensive and time-consuming, but may be worth while for your peace of mind and your property value. Your peaceful neighbors may join forces with you, and the legal fees may be tax deductible. The founders of CORVN finally solved the ORV problem in our neighborhood by obtaining a court-ordered permanent injunction against the nuisance activities. We recommend Attorney Joe Scuderi (360) 534-9183 at Cushman Law Offices. Q: We feel so alone and under seige in our own homes. A: You are not alone. Unfortunately, this problem is widespread and growing. CORVN was founded by people with the same problem, who struggled for years to find solutions. We want to share what we have learned with you so you don't have as many obstacles to overcome. We can also offer each other moral support, and perhaps we can work together for real change in Thurston County and Washington State. We welcome your questions and ideas at CORVN@comcast.net. |
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