Printable View
Your not breaking any laws by calling 911 and tell them you have unknown people on your property with guns and need police help. For sure get a pic off their vehical and plate number. Keep the pressure on both police and mnr to take action. Good luck and dont give up
We called the OPP in the field while confronting the induvidual and the officer on the other end informed us that the land owner has to call in the complaint and he basically hung up after that.
I would have to agree with that. Why would they investigate, if it was not the owner lodging the complaint? Think about random people calling in about trespassers, on land they do not own.:confused:
I know from past experience that the first question a dispatcher or watch NCO asks is if the person reporting is the property owner. If not and someone isn't reporting a B&E in progress,the call priority drops significantly. Manpower is stretched thin enough as it is. These calls aren't ignored,however. They go on a shift list of problem areas where field personnel concentrate stepped up patrols and surveillance.
Personally,IMO,a province wide policy of written permission should be adopted. No paper work,BIG tickets starting at $1K for a first offense up to equipment seizure and $2K and up for subsequent offenses. If that doesn't get the attention of those who think the law doesn't apply to them,nothing will.
Trespassing charges are an OPP issue.
Trespassing on private land and failing to vacate the premises are the two charges that can be laid.
Lodge the complaint and follow up.
With license plate numbers and vehicle description they will contact the owner and issue a warning.
Nothing like having an OPP constable speak to the crackers directly.
We have had two such instances this year; and just ensure you follow up.
The OPP are an excellent resource in this scenario.
Law enforcement does not care about trespassing.
Law enforcement cares a lot about firearms.
When you make your on-the-scene cell phone call, emphasise that firearms are involved and you feel unsafe! That will get action way faster than a common trespass call.
Be careful what you wish for as it can go the over way too....(can go bad for you too)....Quote:
Originally Posted by johny
Imagine the OPP showing up at the landowners/farmers home ..... The OPP shares the information about people trespassing with firearms on their property...... Then imagine the OPP turns to the landowner and says, something like..... "best way to not have issues in the future is to post it No Hunting, as it would solve both are problems" or something to that effect.... The landowner/farmer takes the OPP advice and posts it.... Now the legitimate hunter no longer has access (trespasser still does, but the honest guy is out)
This is what ended up happen to someone i know.... so try to defuse not infuse the situation., just be careful how you handle it that's all I am saying...
Fratri, posting "no hunting" signs on property, then not being able to hunt on it, is a myth. Not sure where that idea originated, but it's right up there with the nonsense of retrieving game on private land without landowners permission.
It's a question of perspective aside from being a colossal piss off. A "petty trespass" ticket is only $50 which can only be written AFTER the trespasser(s) have been approached,told about it being private property and ordered to leave immediately and they don't. They may only be told by the property owner or their bona fide agent (actually defined in law) and not by some other person (hunter with permission) who may or may not have written permission to be able to prove it.
"Trespass to hunt" is another offense under the FWCAct which carries a set fine of $150. It doesn't allow for equipment seizure and all of the other provisos under The Trespass to Property Act also apply.
Really,all a property owner can do is be absolutely sure that all gates are locked, fences are in good repair and are properly posted with the correct signage. All of this is important because each one can be used as a defense to an offense and in JP's court,all benefits of the doubt goes to the accused every time. You can imagine the frustration for LEO's when they do all the leg work for a relatively minor offense and it gets tossed. That's why Police absolutely detest "hunters trespassing" complaints. There's much more bigger fish to fry.
Better check with your co on that oneQuote:
Originally Posted by Bushmoose
Trespassing is trespassing
“When government becomes a law breaker, it breeds contempt for law”