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Miramar releases mountain bikes; $250 fine, charges dropped

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NEWS RELEASE

Release of Confiscated Mountain Bikes by Marines at MCAS Miramar

Today, five mountain bikers represented by Attorney Richard L. Duquette got their bikes released from the custody of the U.S. Marines at MCAS Miramar. The bikes have been held since mid-January when the riders were cited by the Marines for allegedly trespassing on the eastern border of the base near Santee.

The San Diego Mountain Biking is pleased with this outcome and thanks Mr. Duquette and other lawyers and their clients who have been working on this for two months. Mr. Duquette states that these “settlement negotiations will pave the way for the immediate return of the other 40 bikes, and the resolution of the other mountain bikers' criminal cases as well.” Attorney Joshua Bonnici is processing his clients cases as we speak.

The riders agreed to pay a $250 civil free and not to sue the government for civil rights violations in exchange for the immediate release of the bikes. This avoids any criminal conviction on their records and having to appear in court.

While this settlement gets bikes back in the hands of the owners, it does nothing to change the fact that riding within any boundary of MCAS Miramar will still be regarded as trespassing. Some individuals were ticketed just this past weekend but no bikes were confiscated. The San Diego Mountain Biking Association continues to advise all trail users to avoid any trails north of the 52 freeway and anything east of the 805. In a press statement released today the Marines state, “Our Military Police Officers will continue to act within their authorities to enforce the boundaries of MCAS Miramar and we ask community members to avoid the air station property.”

The San Diego Mountain Biking Association continues to work towards a permanent resolution with the Marines regarding more complete and accurate signage, as well as a limited recreational easement on or near the eastern edge of the Miramar base. Local representatives Congressman Duncan Hunter and County Supervisor Dianne Jacob have been active in continuing to pursue solutions to this issue with more meetings scheduled next week. As development continues to increase in the Santee area, conflicts between the Marine base and citizens is likely to increase so a solution needs to be reached now to the benefit of all stakeholders. A trail connection is vital between Mission Trails Regional Park and Sycamore Goodan Ranch and will benefit all the neighboring communities and trail users.

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The Justice system failed in that one.... Bad.

That area has been closed for over 20 years and is in the impact area of live fire ranges. Somebody may catch a bullet one day soon and then the media will continue to make the military the bad guys. Sorry, just because the previous base commanders didn't see this as a big deal doesn't make it OK.

If you were on you motorbike in a closed area, do you think the enviro-weenies/Nazis would sit back and let you off easy.... Exactlt

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The Justice system failed in that one.... Bad.

That area has been closed for over 20 years and is in the impact area of live fire ranges. Somebody may catch a bullet one day soon and then the media will continue to make the military the bad guys. Sorry, just because the previous base commanders didn't see this as a big deal doesn't make it OK.

If you were on you motorbike in a closed area, do you think the enviro-weenies/Nazis would sit back and let you off easy.... Exactlt

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I have said this before, I have trained in the area. There was allot of unexploded munitions WP etc everywhere. There is a 400 yard rifle range and pistol ranges east of the 15 & north of the 52.

Good place to get shot or blown up. I would stay clear.

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