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Police charge canyoners for taking risks 18-Feb-2010 At 8:04:42 PM Tex

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Crazyjohn

I don't remember reading anywhere that a precedent has been set by this event. These guys allegedly broke the law. The cops have apparently charged them. The court can decide if their guilty or not. It's like if you get in your car drunk, have a crash and require rescuing. Your gonna be charged, not for the rescue, but because you broke the law. I remember a few years ago a base jumper who required rescuing in the bluies got charged. Has it stopped people base jumping in the bluies? No. Do the cops and the paramedics still go out when things go wrong? Yes.

On another point. Remember where you're getting your info.. the media. Not exactly a completely trustworthy source. Quotes get edited and put into a particular part of the story to make the story 'print-worthy'. It may not actually reflect the message that the 'winging cop' intended. If I'm reading the article right, I think the cop actually acknowledged in a positive way that the group involved in the lastest rescue (broken ankle) did the right things. Maybe the message is meant to be something like "Do the right thing, be prepared, don't break the law and there won't be a problem. If an unfortunate accident occurs, the authorities will happily come to your aid. Do the wrong thing, go out totally unprepared, or worst of all blatantly ignore the rules and the cops aren't gonna be too happy." After all, why should they risk their own safety for idiots that should know better. Here's another artical based on the same info.. Slightly different 'angle' though http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-national/risktaking-annoys-blue-mountains-police-20100217-o9ak.html