Muskegon City to consider ordinance targeting unlawful speed-exhibition events

Public Safety Director Tim Kozel told the Muskegon City Commission at its Oct. 13 work session that staff is proposing a local ordinance to address ‘‘speed exhibition’’ events — large vehicle gatherings that can involve racing, donuts, stunt driving and associated violence.

Kozel said the proposed ordinance would give police an additional enforcement tool: officers would identify participating vehicles, send a cease-and-desist letter to the vehicle owner after an incident and could impound a vehicle if the same vehicle is involved in a subsequent event within a year. Kozel said the ordinance would also make repeat participation a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.

The measure is intended to address incidents the department has seen locally this past summer — Kozel said staff received about five calls involving groups of cars that required police response — and to allow the city to act in situations where participants flee…