ALLENSTOWN - Members of the Allenstown community have been generous enough to let the police department borrow all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), but they won't be for recreational purposes.

"As a result of complaints that are too many to document, we are stepping up activity in Bear Brook State Park," said Allenstown Police Chief Jim McGonigle.

The law of the land at Bear Brook State Park is that no ATV use is allowed if the ground isn't covered by snow. However, it's apparent to police and abutters of the land that the law isn't being followed.

Armand and Claudette Verville, who live off Deerfield Road which leads into the state park, hear and see ATVs constantly.

"I have a wood lot ... and gravel pit ... up on Dodge Road," Mr. Verville said. "I spent $5,000 to $6,000 reclaiming that land, filling it and sloping it. Within a day, the ATVers tore it all up."

Concerned residents in the area tend to not call police when they see ATVs in their area, McGonigle said.

"They know by the time we get there, the chance is pretty good these people will be gone," he said.

The police department is hoping to take a more active stance on the situation by having officers cover that area on a normal basis, as opposed to just responding to calls.

The machines lent are four-wheel ATVs. The police department has access to three-wheelers, but McGonigle is hesitant to use those vehicles because of the danger they pose. McGonigle would like to have ATVs for the department on a permanent basis but is thankful some residents were willing to lend the machines for now.

He hopes the increased surveillance of the area will stop the illegal use of the machines. Riders in the area are destroying property and causing safety hazards.

Armand Verville has noticed many of the riders are young, many of whom look younger than teenagers, he said.

"These are unsupervised youngsters," Verville said. "They ride up the middle of (Deerfield Road) and cars have to swerve to avoid them."

In addition to land that has been destroyed and maintaining the safety of everyone involved, McGonigle said he's had complaints about things some riders have screamed out to residents in the area.

They have been disrespectful, McGonigle said. He had one complaint of a resident saying one of the riders told them that no one was going to tell him where he can ride his machine.

Illegal use of ATVs will result in a fine as much as $12,000, McGonigle said. If someone destroys property, they can be charged with criminal mischief.

The increase in coverage at the park coincides with a House bill sitting in Concord that would increase ATV trails statewide, including Bear Brook State Park. There has been plenty of opposition to the bill from locals, such as the police and fire departments, selectmen and abutters. Pembroke/Allenstown representative Deanna Rush proposed amending the bill, eliminating Bear Brook from the increased trails since the park is home to many Allenstown residents and has a major road running through it.

However, the amendmant was rejected. House Bill 1273 FN, which would allow for the increase in trails, was passed by the House of Representatives and will be looked at now by the Senate.

With the bill, law enforcement and emergency officials are given $20,000 as reimbursement for an increase in calls due to more trails.

"That's a drop in the bucket," McGonigle said. "I don't even have ATVs, so how can that be enough money?"