Harbor Springs board discusses draft ordinance to exclude harassing beachgoers

The chair introduced a draft ordinance to give police and designated city officials authority to exclude disorderly or harassing individuals from parks, beaches and public buildings for defined periods, with an appeals process to the city manager.

The proposed measure was framed as a tool to protect families and summer staff after multiple seasons of recurring harassment at the city beach. “It essentially would give us some ability in our parks, in our public spaces, in our public buildings here in Harbor Springs to deal with people that aren’t necessarily breaking any particular laws… but are creating an environment that is harassing,” the chair said during the meeting.

Board members and staff focused discussion on enforceability and civil‑liberties protections. Lifeguard and parks staff described repeated incidents involving one person who, according to speakers, routinely pushed the limits of lawful behavior and harassed young patrons and lifeguards. A lifeguard said guards were increasingly frustrated and had limited options because existing municipal tools are narrow.

Members pressed for clear enforcement language and asked whether the policy should include fines or other municipal penalties; others said making the exclusion a police matter, rather than relying on lifeguards or parents, was the priority. One board member suggested some exclusions — for harassment directed at minors or for dangerous threats — should not stay pending appeal, an idea the chair said reflected the draft’s intent to protect vulnerable users.

The board did not vote on the ordinance. Instead, members agreed they were generally supportive of pursuing legal review and asked the chair and staff to forward the draft to the city attorney and the police chief to refine enforceability language and to consult prosecutors about precedent and constitutional concerns. The chair said the item would be returned for further discussion after counsel’s review.