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 a scene and officers choose not to pursue. ‘‘This is another tool in our officers’ toolbox,’’ Kozel said. ‘‘If we’re able to identify people that are involved in these speed exhibition events, we notify them, we give them notice, we tell them to cease and desist, and if it continues we have authority to impound vehicles.’’

Why it matters: City officials emphasized the public-safety risk when large groups of vehicles gather and perform dangerous maneuvers in public spaces, and said the ordinance is modeled on language used by other Michigan cities that have faced similar ‘‘sideshow’’ and street-takeover events. Commissioners asked how the rule would be applied and what due-process safeguards exist.

Key provisions and staff answers
- Scope: Kozel said the ordinance would apply only to events that occur within Muskegon City limits; visitors and nonresidents who participate in events inside the city would be subject to enforcement. ‘‘This would be only for our city proper… it’s a local ordinance,’’ Kozel said.
- Notice and evidence: If officers cannot stop a vehicle at the scene, staff said they will rely on cruiser and camera evidence to identify involved vehicles and send written notice to the registered owner. Kozel: ‘‘It’ll be sent to the owner of the vehicle… It’ll be sent to the owner notice because it could be Tim Kozel or the owner…’’
- Definition: Commissioners pressed staff to be deliberate in how the ordinance defines prohibited conduct. Kozel said the draft includes language broad enough to reach stunt driving and other reckless maneuvers beyond simple tire-squealing or donuts.
- Enforcement sequence: Commission discussion clarified enforcement steps: an initial warning letter after an identified incident, impoundment for a repeat incident by the same vehicle within one year, and misdemeanor penalties that can be pursued immediately. Commissioner Gorman summarized the penalty language and asked whether incarceration is mandatory; Kozel said the penalty wording is standard and typically left to judicial discretion.

Concerns and clarifications raised by commissioners included whether officers must witness an infraction before issuing punitive action (staff said enforcement would rely on witnessed behavior or documented evidence), whether car shows or lawful gatherings could be unintentionally targeted (staff said the intent is not to criminalize lawful car shows or private-property gatherings) and how the city would avoid becoming a ‘‘destination’’ for sideshow activity.

Next steps: Commissioners were told the ordinance will appear on the commission’s consent agenda at the formal meeting on Oct. 14 for a vote. No formal vote was taken during the Oct. 13 work session.

Ending: The work session discussion leaves the draft ordinance moving forward to the commission meeting on Oct. 14, where commissioners will have the opportunity to vote on formal adoption and any final edits.