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Ottawa County moves to ban emergency lights and sirens on personal vehicles
Summary
After the sheriff raised liability and insurance concerns, the board approved a policy to prohibit lights and sirens on personal vehicles and to revoke existing permissions; the county attorney will draft the formal policy (motion passed 3-0).
Sheriff Russell Thornton told commissioners he researched policies in other counties and expressed concerns about permitting emergency lights and sirens on personal vehicles, citing insurance and safety issues.
Commissioner Scott Mortimer discussed possibly grandfathering two existing vehicles but said the county needed a formal policy. Commissioner Duane Morris recommended adopting a policy that disallows lights and sirens on personal vehicles going forward and revoking any existing permissions. The commission directed the county attorney to draft the policy and asked the sheriff to notify current permit holders.
The board approved a motion to implement a policy not to allow lights and sirens on personal vehicles and to revoke existing permissions; the motion passed 3-0.
