The second ordinance prohibits trespassing at the former Calumet Air Force Base at Mount Horace Greeley. The ordinance is intended to protect the general health, safety and welfare of the public, the resolution stated.
Over the years, every building on the base has been severely vandalized to the point that not one of them has an unbroken window. Many of the buildings also contain asbestos, which is a health threat.
Violation of the ordinances is a civil violation, punishable by a fine of $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second offense, and $500 for the third offense.
Sheriff Bill Luokkanen said he was happy with the new ordinances.
“This gives us a tool as an intermediate step of warning a person without giving them a criminal record by arresting them for trespassing,” he said.
A civil infraction results in a citation, Luokkanen said, citing speeding as an example of a civil infraction. If a person is cited for speeding, he or she is issued a ticket and must appear in court.
Keweenaw County attorney Chuck Miller said that is why ordinances are written as civil infractions. The intent of the ordinances are to encourage people to voluntarily obey them.
