It’s time we start charging hikers for mountain rescues

This year over 230 mountain rescue calls for help have come in to Phoenix emergency personnel.

The number of calls continues to go up each year. Last year’s final tally was 167.

Being unprepared, out of shape or just plain stupid is costing us money and diverting resources from actual emergencies.

Phoenix disappointingly has the highest number of hikers being rescued in the country.

I say we issue $500 tickets for each rescue as a start.