Post by Woody Williams on Dec 28, 2005 21:18:53 GMT -5
Hunters keeping some Prospect residents on edge
Council will consider restricting firearms
By Matt Batcheldor
mbatcheldor@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal
On Star Point Court in Prospect's Hunting Creek subdivision, it's not unusual for residents to hear gunshots. But it's not mayhem they're hearing; it's hunting.
The shots are coming from people who hunt deer, squirrels and other animals along Harrods Creek, which runs behind Star Point Court. Ed Rademaker, who lives on that street, says he hears shots "five days out of the week."
Residents are concerned someone will get shot, and they've complained to police and other city officials.
In response, the Prospect City Council is scheduled to vote next month on a proposal that would make it illegal to carry guns on city-owned land. That would mostly affect a large chunk of rugged, forested land next to Harrods Creek that was deeded to the city when subdivisions were developed along the creek.
Prospect already bans hunting in the city, but Mayor Lonnie Falk said the ban is insufficient because it requires police to catch hunters firing a gun before they can be cited for the crime, which is a misdemeanor.
He said city police cannot catch the hunters, and city officials have been referring some complaints to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, which can penalize people for hunting out of season.
Prospect Police Chief Marvin Wilson said the city has received at least five reports of shots fired or hunting since September 2004, primarily near Star Point Court. There were seven other calls to the area during that time for which he couldn't confirm the reason.
The proposed fine for being caught carrying a gun would be $20 to $500, the same as the penalty for hunting in the city.
Rademaker said he hikes in the woods with his grandson, and he and his wife are concerned about safety. He said he has repeatedly called the police, but "by the time they get here, the hunters are gone."
He's never seen the hunters.
Prospect's proposed ordinance would allow police to cite people who "carry implements, equipment or devices commonly used to hunt on any public land."
"If somebody is walking around in that area with a gun, they're probably hunting," Falk said in an interview.
Not everybody agrees with the ordinance.
"Carrying a gun does not make you a criminal," said J.D. Sparks, who spoke against the ordinance at a council meeting.
www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051228/NEWS0102/512280399/1008/NEWS01
Council will consider restricting firearms
By Matt Batcheldor
mbatcheldor@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal
On Star Point Court in Prospect's Hunting Creek subdivision, it's not unusual for residents to hear gunshots. But it's not mayhem they're hearing; it's hunting.
The shots are coming from people who hunt deer, squirrels and other animals along Harrods Creek, which runs behind Star Point Court. Ed Rademaker, who lives on that street, says he hears shots "five days out of the week."
Residents are concerned someone will get shot, and they've complained to police and other city officials.
In response, the Prospect City Council is scheduled to vote next month on a proposal that would make it illegal to carry guns on city-owned land. That would mostly affect a large chunk of rugged, forested land next to Harrods Creek that was deeded to the city when subdivisions were developed along the creek.
Prospect already bans hunting in the city, but Mayor Lonnie Falk said the ban is insufficient because it requires police to catch hunters firing a gun before they can be cited for the crime, which is a misdemeanor.
He said city police cannot catch the hunters, and city officials have been referring some complaints to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, which can penalize people for hunting out of season.
Prospect Police Chief Marvin Wilson said the city has received at least five reports of shots fired or hunting since September 2004, primarily near Star Point Court. There were seven other calls to the area during that time for which he couldn't confirm the reason.
The proposed fine for being caught carrying a gun would be $20 to $500, the same as the penalty for hunting in the city.
Rademaker said he hikes in the woods with his grandson, and he and his wife are concerned about safety. He said he has repeatedly called the police, but "by the time they get here, the hunters are gone."
He's never seen the hunters.
Prospect's proposed ordinance would allow police to cite people who "carry implements, equipment or devices commonly used to hunt on any public land."
"If somebody is walking around in that area with a gun, they're probably hunting," Falk said in an interview.
Not everybody agrees with the ordinance.
"Carrying a gun does not make you a criminal," said J.D. Sparks, who spoke against the ordinance at a council meeting.
www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051228/NEWS0102/512280399/1008/NEWS01
