Traverse City moves toward a prowling ban and three-day park removals after trouble at Hull Park

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Traverse City commissioners took a first vote Monday on two public-safety ordinances that would let police order rule-breakers out of city parks for three days and make prowling on someone else’s property after dark a crime.

The commission voted 5-1 to move both measures to a final enactment vote Oct. 19, with Commissioner Mitch Treadwell opposed and Commissioner Lance Boehmer absent, The Ticker reported. If they pass, they would take effect Oct. 29.

Police Chief Matt Richmond asked for the rules after a string of problems at Hull Park on Boardman Lake, including the reported assault of a sailing instructor last month, according to 9&10 News. Richmond said the ordinances are meant to help break up gatherings that become concerning, and that they apply to anyone, regardless of whether they have a home.

The prowling ordinance defines the offense as “willfully lurking about, lying in wait, or moving stealthily about private property as if in search of prey or plunder.” Walking up to a front door does not count. Before making an arrest, an officer would have to give the person a chance to explain why they are there, unless they run or that is otherwise impracticable. A violation would be a misdemeanor carrying up to 93 days in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both.

The parks change would let an officer tell anyone breaking park rules, such as camping overnight or disorderly conduct, to leave for the rest of a three-day period. Someone who refuses could be charged with or arrested for trespassing.

Public comment ran long and at times turned ugly. Critics said the rules target homeless people and are too vague, and one speaker was escorted out after shouting obscenities at the commission, The Ticker and Interlochen Public Radio reported. Richmond told commissioners the American Civil Liberties Union still had concerns about the language, though the city attorney considers it defensible, according to IPR.

Members of Traverse Area Community Sailing described littering, assaults, human waste on the docks and open drinking near where children take lessons, and said the program’s future at the park is in doubt if nothing changes, The Ticker reported. Treadwell questioned whether the city needs new rules on top of existing laws and whether police and the courts can handle the added load.

City Manager Benjamin Marentette said the city remains committed to addressing homelessness with both compassion and accountability. Commissioners narrowly rejected a similar trespassing amendment, 4-3, in April 2025, The Ticker reported before Monday’s meeting.

Sources:
The Ticker, “Commissioners Signal Support for Prowling Ordinance; Enactment Vote Scheduled for October 19,” Oct. 7, 2026, https://www.traverseticker.com/news/commissioners-signal-support-for-prowling-ordinance-enactment-vote-scheduled-for-october-19/
9&10 News, “Traverse City Commission advances trespassing, ‘prowling’ policies after Hull Park concerns,” Oct. 6, 2026, https://www.9and10news.com/2026/10/06/traverse-city-commission-advances-trespassing-prowling-policies-after-hull-park-concerns/
The Ticker, “Commissioners to Consider Prowling, Trespassing Ordinances,” Oct. 5, 2026, https://www.traverseticker.com/news/commissioners-to-consider-prowling-trespassing-ordinances/
Interlochen Public Radio, “Tensions flare as Traverse City Commission passes prowling ordinance,” Oct. 6, 2026, https://www.interlochenpublicradio.org/ipr-news/2026-10-06/tensions-flare-as-traverse-city-commission-passes-prowling-ordinance
Photo: Babelball, “Hull Park, Traverse City, MI,” Aug. 1, 2024, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), cropped and color-corrected, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hull_Park,_Traverse_City,_MI.jpg

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