Residents in Cedar Springs may see Sgt. Todd Probst and Deputy Don Hamilton of the Kent County Sheriff Department patrolling for snowmobile violations. Cedar Springs Police Chief Roger Parent is pictured to their right.

Snowmobilers riding within the city limits of Cedar Springs need to brush up on the new ordinance or they may find themselves ticketed.

According to Cedar Springs Police Chief Roger Parent, a 20-year-old snowmobiler was cited on Thursday, December 10, for driving on city sidewalks. Parent said the rider rode the White Pine Trail to Pine Street, then proceeded on the sidewalk right past the “No snowmobiles on sidewalk” sign to buy gas at Wesco, at the corner of Pine and Main.

“The operator explained he needed gas and didn’t know that we allow riding on the streets,” explained Parent. “Snowmobiles have never been permitted on a public sidewalk and the operator was cited under our city ordinance, an $80 violation.”

Parent said that later in the day, two police snowmobiles from the Kent County Sheriff Department were in town. Sgt Todd Probst and Deputy Don Hamilton were patrolling northeast Kent County and were invited to patrol our city streets. “Our City ordinance has been shared with them and they have an open invite to patrol the city looking for snowmobile violations,” said Parent.  (Hamilton is in charge of the Marine division during the summer, and snowmobiles during the winter.)

Parent noted that a number of street signs have been erected explaining the snowmobile ordinance. “Signs placed on the White Pine Trail were conveniently located at stop signs so operators have no reason not to notice them. Officers will continue to watch for snowmobile violations and take enforcement action as necessary,” he said.