Zero tolerance policy

Durham Regional Police and Canadian Shield Anticrime have charged at least 7 people caught trespassing in East Cross Forest Conservation Area.

Located in the southeast corner of Scugog Township in Durham Region, Kawartha Conservation is rehabilitating and managing the area to protect important water features, a variety of plant species and cold-water fish habitat after years of ecological devastation from illegal activities.

The charges range from trespassing and driving without a license to having open alcohol in a vehicle. As well, a recently stolen vehicle was found burned-out on the property.

One of the off-roaders charged with trespassing claimed that he didn’t see any of the ‘no trespassing’ signs. However, a search of his vehicle uncovered 3 of the signs in his trunk.

As part of the Oak Ridges Moraine, East Cross Forest provides vital recharge areas for groundwater aquifers and headwaters for creeks and rivers. The East Cross Forest Conservation Area is closed to the public until next spring.