Enforcement focuses on ATV use
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

JACKSON - Residents in the area of South Hope Chapel Road may now be able to enjoy some peace and quiet.

"The Jackson Police Department has conducted its second in a series of planned enforcement details targeting the illegal operation of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)," Jackson police Capt. David Newman said in a May 6 press release.

"With assistance from law enforcement officers from the Manchester Police Department, New Jersey Fish, Game and Wildlife, the Ocean Township (Ocean County) Police Department and the Toms River Police Department, the enforcement effort was designed to address the problem of all-terrain vehicles being operated on private property in an unsafe manner and to restore to the area of the township, otherwise known for its quiet [atmosphere], the rural character it had previously," he said.

Newman said the enforcement details were supported by Mayor Mark Seda, Township Administrator William Santos and Public Safety Director Matthew Kunz.

Many of the ATV riders came from out of town and some came from out of state.

"They selected Jackson and other Ocean County locations as an attractive place to ride by using the Internet, periodicals and word of mouth," Newman said. "Unfortunately, the quality of life for some township residents had been affected by the noise created by the ATVs and the property damage they caused."

Both police details concentrated in the South Hope Chapel Road area and resulted in the impounding of 27 ATVs and dirt bikes, as well as the issuance of 65 summonses.