Muskegon City staff propose ordinance to curb late‑night speed exhibitions; formal vote set for tomorrow

Public Safety Director Tim Kozel told the Muskegon City Commission that recent large gatherings of vehicles performing “racing, donuts” and other stunts have created dangerous conditions and prompted about five calls to police this past summer. “This particular ordinance that is in front of you today is to look at our speed exhibition events,” Kozel said, describing the proposed tool as a way to notify participants and, if the behavior continues, to impound vehicles and pursue misdemeanor charges.

The draft ordinance would allow officers to identify participants and send a written notice — a cease‑and‑desist letter — to the vehicle owner or an identified participant. Kozel said officers would rely on cruiser presence and camera evidence to identify vehicles. The ordinance’s enforcement structure includes a notice first and escalates to impoundment and criminal penalties for repeat involvement.

Commissioners asked how notices would be issued and whether the city could apply the ordinance to visitors. Commissioner German asked whether letters would go only to owners and whether the city could be confident it had identified the correct participant; Kozel replied that the notice would be sent to the vehicle owner and to the identified individual when possible. Commissioner Cochin asked whether the law applies only to events that occur inside city limits; Kozel said the ordinance applies to events that take place in Muskegon City regardless of the participants’ residence.

The proposed penalty language in the draft reads that a violation “is punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than 90 days and a fine of not more than $500 or both,” and the ordinance also creates an impoundment possibility for repeated offenses. Kozel told commissioners that many instances are reported by the public, and the proposed approach is designed to allow after‑the‑fact enforcement without creating dangerous, high‑speed pursuits.

Commissioners pressed staff to ensure the ordinance would not sweep in lawful car shows or lawful formation rides and that officers would have to observe or otherwise substantiate the prohibited conduct before escalating enforcement. Kozel and other staff emphasized the ordinance’s focus on events that create a clear public‑safety risk and said the language was drafted broadly to capture “stunting” and reckless maneuvers beyond simple tire squealing.

Mayor and commissioners expressed general support for adding the ordinance to the code as an additional enforcement tool. The mayor said the item will appear on tomorrow’s consent agenda for formal vote and adoption; no formal vote on the ordinance occurred during the work session.

What happens next: The Commission will consider formal adoption at its next meeting when the ordinance appears on the consent agenda. If adopted, the city will implement the notice procedure described by staff and retain the option to impound vehicles and pursue misdemeanor charges for repeat offenders.