STATE POLICE KICK-OFF ATV PATROL PILOT PROGRAM

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PORT NORRIS-- Residents and officials in Port Norris have voiced concern over the numerous ATV fatalities and unsafe riding practices that have occurred throughout the county. Port Norris State Police hope an ATV Safety Pilot Program they have come up with, will be the answer to the growing problem. Rural Port Norris is about 300 square miles, with wildlife acres, farmland and sandpits, that appeal to ATV riders. "We've had numerous ATV accidents everywhere from minor to fatal," said Trooper Jack Blizzard, New Jersey State Police, Port Norris. So for the next six months, State Police will be on special detail...making rounds on their newly acquired all terrain vehicles in areas where no patrol cruiser has gone before. "This is no way shape or form an assault on people that own or ride ATV's, this is an effort that we're going to put forth to educate the individuals how to legally ride ATV's versus illegally riding to promote safety and the proper respect for nature," said Blizzard. "We're out here to assist, we're out here to prevent the problem before it happens," said Lieutenant John Peacock, New Jersey State Police, Port Norris. The ATV pilot program not only educates riders but also allows State Troopers to access more ground in remote areas, keeping wildlife and visitors safe. "We have thousands of acres of state game land, thousands of acres of natural trust land which is land that's preserved for natural habitat and its very important that we are out there educating individuals as to the importance in our sensitive areas," said Blizzard. "Because we're such a rural area, we have traditional Alzheimer's patients walk off, we have young people lost in the woods," said Peacock. And now, thanks to the ATV's, Troopers will be able to help out in more ways than one to help the pilot program take off. "Hopefully it will have the positive impact with the local people and local community that we're looking to do," said Peacock. State Police hope to expand this ATV program throughout all of Cumberland, Atlantic, Cape May, Gloucester, Salem and Camden counties in the near future.