(Spirit Lake)– The nearly six inches of snow we have on the ground is bringing out snowmobile and A-T-V enthusiasts.
And Spirit Lake Police Chief Jeff Hanson says his office has been fielding a lot of complaints lately about the machines being operated in places where they aren’t allowed.
Hanson says the city’s ordinance prohibits A-T-V’s and snowmobiles from being operated in the city between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. except for emergency situations and loading or unloading from a transport trailer. The machines can only be operated on the roadway (from curb line to curb line). They cannot be operated on private property unless the operator has the permission of the property owner.
Hanson says they’ve had numerous complaints from the Bedell Family YMCA of snowmobiles damaging the soccer fields just north of the Y. He says that’s private property and anyone caught operating a snowmobile or A-T-V where they don’t belong will be ticketed.
A copy of the snowmobile and A-T-V ordinance can be found on the city’s website at www.cityofspiritlake.org. Copies are also available during regular office hours at the Spirit Lake Police Department.
