Tignish invites crackdown

Council expresses frustration with ATVs loitering, mischief

All-terrain vehicles are causing problems again in Tignish. Councillors here provided Prince District RCMP Staff Sergeant Derrick Hewitt with an idea of where he might find some of the all-terrain vehicles which residents routinely complain about. There were six such complaints noted on the RCMP’s report for July. Council informed the staff sergeant this week that ATVs can often be found hanging out behind Shirley’s Café.

They told Hewitt that there has been an increase in ATV activity, loitering, noise complaints and mischief in the past month, and they urged the RCMP to lay charges. Coun. Angel Murphy said ATV’s are cutting circles and making noise in the area of the Access P.E.I. office and the nearby park area.

Coun. Judy Morrissey-Richard said some ATV operators are driving up to barriers and spinning their tires. Murphy added loitering is a persistent issue in several parking lots, including the arena.

“They’re littering, they’re loitering. They’re loud, frightening the other neighbours,” she said, even giving an indication on when to look.

“Every Friday night, for sure, they’re there, seven, eight, nine, 10 cars.”

“I’m saying we have to do something,” Mayor Allan McInnis insisted. “We have to do something different than what we’re doing in order to curb some of the things that are going on in the community.” The mayor explained that a stop sign had been removed from one intersection, suggesting the mischief-maker might not realize how devastating that could be for an unsuspecting driver who is not familiar with the area.

He said he’s heard from residents that their complaints weren’t responded to.

“I know you have other places to go, but I’m just telling you what I’m getting,” the mayor told Hewitt.

He added, “I’m not saying you’re not doing your job; but I’m saying people are frustrated and saying you’re not doing your job.”

“Did you call that one in?” Hewitt asked when told of recent issues of defacing property. They hadn’t.

The sergeant encouraged residents to provide information, even if it is enough for an officer to go and knock on someone’s door.

He expressed a willingness to utilize the town’s surveillance cameras to identify offending vehicles.

“I find this the worst summer ever for parking en masse,” commented Murphy.

Hewitt said the police will exercise zero tolerance in dealing with such complaints, and councillors agreed that’s what is needed to get the message out.