Camoflauged "gunners" appearing in Lost Valley woods
By:Alec Moore
A Boesel Avenue resident told the Borough Council Monday that a number of camouflaged individuals, who appear to be armed with paintball guns, have tread a little too close to her home for comfort.
"I almost fell over when this guy came out of the woods he was practically in my back yard," she said recalling an encounter she had on Sunday.
The resident who wouldn’t give her name because of concerns her home may be targeted by paintballs added that she has previously seen groups of teens in the Lost Valley area dressed similarly.
She noted that while she does not believe the camouflaged individuals are intent on deliberately shooting passers-by or neighborhood residents, she does believe the use of paintball guns in parks and other public areas poses a danger, particularly to young children.
"The woods are open for everyone so I just want to make sure that no one is going to get hurt by getting hit by one of these paintballs," she said, pointing out that the camouflaged, paintball gun-wielding teens she has seen wear protective headgear, eyewear and vests.
"Those paintballs have got to hurt," she said. "(The teens) wear protective gear, but someone who might get hit by accident wouldn’t have that."
According to American Sports Data Inc, eye injuries account for the majority of paintball related injuries. The ASD also cites that welts and abrasions are also common injuries reported by paintball gun users.
The resident’s concerns have prompted the council to revisit an ordinance that the borough’s governing body had drawn up several years ago, but never adopted.
"I’m not sure why they held off on that one," said Borough Administrator Gary Garwacke.
The original ordinance would have essentially made it illegal to fire a paintball gun on public property. The ordinance would also have prohibited the firing of paintballs on private property where express consent was not provided by the property owner for such action.
Manville Police Lt. Mark Sniscak said that individuals who are found firing paintball guns in town or playing skirmish a mock war game in which individuals dress in camouflage fatigues and shoot each other with paintball guns could be charged with criminal mischief.
Lt. Sniscak emphasized that in the event residents ever see any suspicious behavior near their homes, including people dressed in fatigues and armed with paintball guns, they are welcome to the police to have the matter investigated.
"Anytime someone sees any type of suspicious behavior, they shouldn’t have any doubt about calling us," said Lt. Sniscak. "That’s what we’re here for."
Lt. Sniscak added that individuals in Manville who wish to play skirmish and fire paintball guns may want to look into any one of a number of paintball-skirmish grounds in the area, where they could legally engage in the pastime.

