ROY -- Justin Moore is tired of smelling marijuana yards away from his backyard and worrying about other crimes being committed along the old railroad tracks near his home just off 5600 South and 2500 West in Roy.
The 11-year-old Boy Scout approached the mayor and city council at a recent meeting to air his grievances with the area that is covered with trees and shrubs, making it a perfect spot for criminal activity.
He told the council he worries about crimes being committed and doesn't want any of his friends or family to become victims of crime because the area is not cleaned out.
"There are too many gangster kids going back there and smoking weed," Justin said. "We want the trees removed."
Justin is going to get almost immediate resolution, Mayor Joe Ritchie told him.
Ritchie and City Manager Chris Davis just secured an additional $141,000 from the Wasatch Front Regional Council to remove the trees and shrubs early this spring and to extend the trail all the way to the northern city limits to the Hinckley Drive extension.
Utah Transit Authority owns the property, and Utah Department of Transportation is overseeing the project, which will put a paved trail along the old railroad track across the city.
Money was a little short to add 100 yards to the Hinckley Drive extension and to clear out and grub -- remove the stumps and roots of -- the trees along the trail, especially where the brush and trees are thick near the 5600 South portion.
Justin's mom, Kristi Moore, said she is glad to hear of the change and hopes it is true.
"We've come before, and you've told us they would be gone, and they're still there," she said. "If my yard looked like that (trail), I would be getting a citation."
Ritchie said there have been ups and downs in completing the trail, but everything is in line now to remove the trees because of the funding just received.
Police Chief Greg Whinham said once the trail is complete, it will be much easier to patrol the area.
City Councilman Michael Stokes agreed the problem can be addressed now to make sure things are getting cleaned up even before the trees are cleared.
Roy has signed an agreement with UDOT and UTA to take care of the upkeep of the trail once it is in place this spring. The trail has been completed from Layton to Roy, and the city is eager for its portion to be finished.
Ritchie is looking forward to the completion not only to give residents another place to exercise and get across town, but also to get rid of some of the crime occurring along the trail. Crimes ranging from drug use and drug deals to assaults and rapes have been reported in the area.
"We are hoping to do more than just cut down; we are hoping to eliminate it," Ritchie said of criminal activity.
He said crime there has been a serious concern and, "We will make sure things are safe along that trail."
Comments