Sheriff’s Office urges safety during summer activities
From our weekly issue dated July 08, 2009
Boaters should wear life jackets and JCSO will enforce increased state penalties for boating under the influence of intoxicants, said Sheriff Gil Gilbertson. (File photo by Illinois Valley News)
Scorching summer heat tends to send several area residents scrambling for the nearest swimming hole. However, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) is urging would-be recreationalists to exercise caution when engaging in seasonal activities.
“We lose five to six people a year because they drown,” said Sheriff Gil Gilbertson. “They fall off rocks, injure themselves or drown because they’re intoxicated or not wearing a life jacket.”
Gilbertson said that since summer started, his office has “become busier than normal” responding to incidents throughout the county. That trend repeats itself every year, the sheriff said.
“In colder weather, people try to stay warm by staying indoors,” he said. “In the heat of the summer, people are engaged in more outdoor activities, and more people are on the move.”
One particularly popular swimming spot is the swinging bridge above Illinois River out Illinois River Road at McCaleb Ranch Boy Scout Camp near Selma. Gilbertson said that JCSO has a contract with the U.S. Forest Service to provide patrols in the area.
“There will be somebody patrolling the Illinois River,” Gilbertson said.
JCSO also has two marine boat operators assigned to the Rogue River, he said. Among other aspects, Gilbertson said, JCSO will enforce increased state penalties for boating under the influence of intoxicants.
“I think we’re definitely keeping a closer eye on river activity,” he said.
Vehicle break-ins have been a common occurrence at boat ramps along the Rogue River, but Gilbertson said that steps are being taken to put a stop to them.
“We now have volunteers checking boat ramps,” Gilbertson said. “Some places have even put cameras up so we can catch these people breaking into vehicles that are left at the boat ramps.”
River guides also are recording the license plate numbers of cars parked at boat ramps, Gilbertson said. He added that anyone parking at a boat ramp should avoid leaving valuables visible in their vehicle, and make sure it is locked.
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Intoxication often accompanies summer recreational activities, but also can lead to potentially dangerous situations that can be easily avoided, Gilbertson said.
“If you’re going to be drinking to the point where you become intoxicated, don’t go swimming,” he said. “If you’re shooting rapids or in a raft or a boat, wear a life jacket.”
Gilbertson said that JCSO usually sees an uptick of instances of intoxicated driving during the summer.
“More drinking goes on and people have the tendency to get behind the wheel of a car,” Gilbertson said. “The accident rate increases.”
Another popular area swimming site is Illinois River Forks State Park, just outside Cave Junction city limits. Although Gilbertson said the park is the “state’s responsibility,” JCSO strives to maintain a presence there.
As of early July, Gilbertson said, there have been no major incidents in the county, “but the summer is young.”
The JCSO Marine Division will hold a boating safety exam day from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 18 on the west gravel parking lot of Grants Pass Family YMCA next to the county fairgrounds. Participants should bring paperwork and required boating safety equipment. Anyone who passes the safety exam will be issued a decal, JCSO said. For more information, phone 474-5120.
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