Police chief: UTVs create more work

The Colby/Abbotsford Police Commission met the evening of June 13 at the Police Department. A discussion was held on opening Abbotsford streets to side-by-sides.

Several individuals asked the Abbotsford city council to open Abbotsford streets to side-bysides. After discussions the Abbotsford city council decided to send it to the police commission to get their input on it.

Chief Jason Bauer said, “Here’s my input on it. 99 percent obey and follow the law but the other 1 percent create many problems for us. Friday night we caught one going right down 13 and you can’t go down a state highway on those things. It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last. The problem might increase, it may stay the same. Law-abiding people will drive down the streets at a slow rate.”

“There’s always a few that ruin it,” said commissioner Dan Hederer.

Bauer said he isn’t opposed to the idea, it just causes more work for the rest of the de par t m e n t . “When this first started, Abbotsford did it first. I talked them into just having Spruce St., Business 29 and Hiline Ave. It’s okay to get from point a to point b. They can go through the town and that’s what the purpose is for. I didn’t realize so many people would get side by sides. I didn’t know it’d be that popular,” said Bauer.

“So is the city of Colby open to all roads?”asked Roger Weideman.

“All the roads but you can never open up a state highway,” answered Bauer.

“What about turn signals and brake lights,” questioned Abbotsford Mayor Jim Weix.

“You need a headlight operational at all times,” said Bauer.

Owners need to have a permit (ATV license), a license plate and illuminated headlight to be driving on the streets.

“We may have to break budget to get a side-by-side,” said Hederer. “You can actually be reimbursed through DNR for ATV patrol,” said Bauer.

n The CAPD intercepted a drug dealer and charged him with possession of 18 grams of methamphetamine.

n Brandon Nelson, the CAPD officer in school, spent three weeks with Officer Wagner. Bauer said he had his eyes opened to what it was like without scaring him away.

n The police commission made a motion to approve the expenditures for the month at a total of $18,081.45.