Law enforcement effort promotes U.P. snowmobile safety

UPPER PENINSULA — The Valentine’s Day blizzard didn’t stop area law enforcement from helping to promote safety on the snowmobile trails this weekend.

A multi–jurisdictional effort was launched in Alger, Luce, and Schoolcraft counties Saturday to help reduce injuries on area snowmobile trails. The effort included officers from sheriff’s departments in those counties along with the National Park Service of Grand Marais, the DNR, and Michigan State Police from the St. Ignace and Sault Ste. Marie posts. In addition to enforcing laws on the trail, officers also assisted riders who were stranded due to mechanical problems and those who needed directions.

Officers made 650 contacts, conducted 140 stops, gave 81 verbal warnings, issued 19 citations, and made 5 misdemeanor arrests. No injuries or crashes were reported during the 8 hour operation. Police say that the number of snowmobiles in the area was significantly lower than in years past due to the dangerous weather conditions.