By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Easter at the Little Sahara Sand Dunes is expected to be
busy again this year and law enforcement is prepared to
handle all sorts of problems so the holiday can be a happy
one for families.
It is not unusual for more than 40,000 people to
travel to the Sand Dunes to spend the Easter.
In years past, depending on the weather, there have
been anywhere from 20,000 to 60,000 people flock to Juab
County to enjoy the spring holiday.
"The forecast is that we will have good weather for
the three-day holiday," said Juab County Sheriff David
Carter. "Easter is also early this year, occurring in March
rather than in April, and whenever that happens, more people
want to camp-out and enjoy outdoor recreation."
He said most people were glad to escape the bad winter
weather and enjoy spring, so the early holiday coupled with
good weather should mean a capacity crowd at this year's
recreation sites.
"The Little Sahara is always popular with the crowd
celebrating the Easter holiday," said Carter. "In the past,
the large crowd coupled with good weather has usually
brought problems for law enforcement."
"Our goal every year," said Cater, "is to keep the
holiday family-oriented. We work hard to keep the Sand Dunes
a place where families can come and have a good time."
Not only do visitors stream into Little Sahara, but
they also visit Topaz Mountain, other West Desert sites,
and, if it is warm enough, visitors go to Yuba Lake,
Burraston Ponds, Mona Reservoir and other recreation sites
in Juab County.
Carter said for a county with a population of 7,000,
having more than six times that number of visitors to
recreation sites could put a great strain on law
enforcement. For that reason, he said, he was thankful that
other law enforcement agencies assisted his office during
the holiday.
Carter said that the Utah Highway Patrol has agreed to
send five to six troopers to assist with law enforcement at
the site. In addition, the local UHP officers will assist at
the Little Sahara Sand Dunes as often as they can. There are
five UHP troopers and one sergeant who work in the Juab
County area.
"All my Sheriff's Office deputies (there are seven)
and myself will work around-the-clock shifts at the Dunes,"
said Carter.
In addition, the Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue
team will work 24 hours a day in shifts. There are 40
members of the search and rescue team and Carter expects six
people to be at the site at all times.
Members of the Juab County Ambulance Association will
be on-site at the visitor's center to provide medical
assistance if needed. In addition, they will be on-call for
any injury-accidents where transport is needed so that
victims can be taken to the hospital via ambulance when that
service is needed.
"Millard County Sheriff's Department will have their
canine unit at the site and have agreed to contribute
manpower by sending at least two deputies to help out," said
Carter. "The UHP will also send two canine units to assist
us."
Carter said the state Division of Motor Vehicles will
man the visitor's center at the recreation site. Those
officers will be checking licenses, will watch for safety
violations on vehicles and trailers, and will look for
stolen registrations.
Throughout the holiday, members of the state SIB,
Special Service Bureau, will be working in plain
clothes.
All officers will watch for alcohol infractions and
for illegal drug possession and use.
This year the quite hours rule will be enforced,
meaning that after 10 p.m. each evening the campgrounds will
be kept peaceful and quiet. Law enforcement officers will
patrol during those hours to keep the peace so that children
who are there with their parents can rest undisturbed by
loud noise.
Sand Mountain will be the only place where sand
recreation vehicles can be ridden after 10 p.m. in the
evening.
"We will work to stop large and loud parties," said
Carter. "We want to remind all visitors to the Sand Dunes
that the quiet hours should be maintained."
Other restrictions are that fires in campgrounds may
be no larger than 3 feet wide by 3-feet tall.
Glass containers cannot be brought to the site. This
means that those who plan to bring beverages to the site
should plan on purchasing canned items or purchase those
bottled in plastic containers.
"We just want people to have a good time and to not be
involved in serious accidents," said Carter. "All the
regulations are in place to keep the holiday family-oriented
and to keep the law-breakers from ruining things for the
families."
Those who enjoy four-wheeling at the Dunes should also
remember that the sand shifts. Just because a drop-off was
not there a half-hour ago doesn't mean that it will not be
there presently. Groups should take turns posting a spotter
at the top of the crest to make certain that it is safe.
In addition, folks need to remember that just because
there are no semaphores posted at the Dunes does not mean
that traffic cautions should not be considered.
In addition, speed on highways in the area is not
permitted anymore than it would be on any two-lane
highway.
"We just don't want to have a fatal accident this
year," said Carter.
|
