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2008 Policy Book
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We strongly support law enforcement agencies being maintained and funded at levels to provide adequate training and service.
We support effective use of current police powers, but oppose further expansion in order to preserve individual rights.
We encourage funding of rural and urban patrols to curb drug and vandalism issues.
We discourage the use of state and national funding for public nuisance issues, such as seat belt enforcement zones.
We encourage law enforcement agencies to develop youth liaison programs.
We support juvenile justice reform, including youth prisons, for violent and dangerous juveniles.
We favor capital punishment.
We oppose further restrictions of handgun laws.
We encourage legislation at local and state levels, which strengthens private property rights on all land, to protect farmers and all landowners against trespassers and vandals. Due to the increased pressure on landowners from trespassers on private property, we encourage implementation of the following:
- The ability to prosecute trespassers regardless of whether or not "No Trespassing" signs were posted.
- Rigorous enforcement of the Michigan Recreational Trespass law.
- Property owners should not be held liable for any accidents, injuries, or damage to personnel, equipment, and/or property, by trespassers.
- Increased fines for trespassing.
- Amendments to the Michigan statutes imposing civil liability for recreational and non-recreational trespass, that set a jurisdictional limit of $3,000 or five times the actual damages, whichever is higher, and include incurred attorney fees and court costs, payable to the landowner and or lessee.
- Increased fines for trespass on land enrolled in PA 116, other land preservation programs, or the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP).
- Confiscation of vehicle or ORV for repeat recreational trespassers.
- Use of photography for the immediate arrest of a trespasser.
- Revocation of hunting, fishing and trapping privileges and loss of vehicles used in the violation.
Driving is a privilege, not a right. We support Michigan's current drunk driving laws.
Law enforcement officers should be restricted to encroaching on private property only for probable cause and the landowner should have the right to request the probable cause.
We support additional tools to aid in the identification and prosecution of individuals involved in the theft of copper wire and other recyclable materials from farms.
