Kensington Police Chief Lewis Sutherland likes seeing snowmobiles come through his community.
Snowmobilers are generally likable folk, who buy gas at local service stations, and stop for lunch at local shops.
In fact, Kensington is something of a way station for snowmobilers because the Confederation Trail runs right through the town.
But Sutherland said recently that a handful of isolated incidents have prompted him to keep a closer eye on the trail system and to reiterate a long-standing request to snowmobilers.
“We just want them to slow down. That’s all,” said Sutherland.
The chief said he spent a recent morning watching a busy section of trail crossing, and out of the more than 50 machines that passed through only one was speeding.
But there have been incidents, he said, mostly involving speed, but some more serious, including two impaired driving charges laid earlier this month.
These cautions are just common sense, said Sutherland, but a little reminder never hurt anyone.
Police would like to remind snowmobilers to halt at the stop sign where the trail crosses Broadway Street. To use Woodleigh Drive to get to the Petro Canada. To stay off Victoria Street. And keep an eye out for pedestrians.
Hardly anything Draconian, said Sutherland.
Still, the chief has heard some unofficial complaints that the police are being too hard on snowmobilers.
He begs to differ.
“Absolutely not,” said Sutherland.
“We just have to make a safe environment for everyone.”
Colin.MacLean@journalpioneer.com
@journalpmaclean
