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Grant Township seeks more police help for July 4, 2001
COPPER HARBOR -- This coming Labor Day weekend Keweenaw County businesses can expect plenty of visitors, especially since the schools have a longer holiday weekend than usual with no classes either Friday
or Monday. However, while traffic is expected to pick up this weekend, law enforcement officials do not anticipate the crowd problems Copper Harbor experiences on the Fourth of July, caused mainly
by underage drinking and rowdy behavior.
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 Keweenaw County Sheriff Ron Lahti
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"The Fourth of July is the only weekend with serious drinking problems (in Copper Harbor), said Keweenaw County Sheriff Ron Lahti..
He added the former Oktoberfest - which used to be held the second week in September - had similar crowd problems, but since it was cancelled a few years ago those problems seem to be limited to July 4.
Grant Township officials have decided to take preventive measures to avoid these problems in the future.
Following up on their July resolution to make the Copper Harbor July 4 celebration a family affair with more enforcement of laws to curtail underage drinking, obscene language and other behavior
offensive to families with young children, Grant Township officials sought input from local law enforcement agencies at a recent meeting in Copper Harbor.
"Copper Harbor is, Iím told, ranked number 12 in the state for the quality of our (Fourth of July) fireworks display," said Township Supervisor Tom Beveridge.
He noted while the celebration attracts family groups, underage drinking and "wild behavior"spoil the day for residents and visitors alike.
Lahti said underage drinking was the root of the problem. While he and his staff may have good intentions to create a law enforcement presence early in the day to prevent problems, staff and
vehicle availability may depend on whether he or his deputies are called to an emergency. That is what happened on July 4, 2000, when deputies had to report to the scene of an accident and could
not give their full attention to Copper Harbor.
"We have three patrol cars in Keweenaw County," Lahti said. "The chances of keeping three cars in this town are slim ’Ķ You have to think of the rest of the county, too."
Lahti noted his three deputies each had a 20-hour shift on that day. If a policeman from Houghton or Hancock were lucky enough to have July 4 off, he would be unlikely to give up a chance to
spend it with his family to come and work for Keweenaw County, he said.
State Police Chief Curt Robertson, Calumet Post, said he had contacted his district headquarters in Negaunee about the problem and they agreed to help out next year.
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 Lt. Curt Robertson, Michigan State Police chief, Calumet Post
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"Weíve always had two cars up here," Robertson said. "Weíll try to have three plus a sergeant, and then we can get three other cars - one
out of LíAnse . . . and possibly two out of Negaunee to do nothing but work this detail."
Robertson said the Grant Township Community Center might be used that day as a command post, where juvenile violators would be detained until their parents could pick them up.
Noted Robertson, "I would say force (the parents) to come to Copper Harbor to get them (rather than halfway to Eagle River). Make them drive all the way, and maybe
next year theyíll think twice about it."
Lahti noted youth 16 and under caught drinking must be detained until law enforcement can turn them over to their parents. In the case of 17-year-old violators, parents are notified; but otherwise
the usual practice is to treat them the same as those 18 to 20: They are given a citation, the alcohol
is taken away and they have to appear in court. He added state penalties now include taking away a driverís license for a second violation of underage drinking, whether while driving or not.
However, it may be difficult to contact parents on July 4, noted Barbara Battersby, Houghton County juvenile officer.
"If the parents couldn't be located the Juvenile Court would need to be contacted (which could
prove equally difficult on the 4th of July)," she said. "I definitely agree there's a problem there that
needs to be addressed. I just think it will have to be carefully thought out and planned for well in advance."
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 State Police Chief Curt Robertson (center), Calumet Post, and Keweenaw County Sheriff Ron Lahti discuss
July 4 problems with Grant Township residents Diana Jones (far left) and Barbara Battersby and John Grohs of Calumet.
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Robertson said radio communications are somewhat of a problem now, but by next year could be improved.
"Possibly next year on the Fourth of July the new 800-megahertz tower in Negaunee would be operational (to improve radio communication)," he said. "Between now and next Fourth of July Iím
sure Ron and I can come up with a plan that will address a lot of the issues that youíve expressed here."
Said Lahti, "There will be three towers built in Keweenaw County, and one will be in Copper Harbor . . . Thatís going to eliminate our communication problems."
Copper Harbor resident Don Kilpela suggested putting an ad in the newspaper to announce that underage young people caught drinking or holding an open container (with alcohol) on the street
July 4 would be detained until a parent comes to pick him/her up.
"I think if we make that point," Kilpela said, "it will not only reassure families who want to come out
here and see the fireworks that things are under control, but it will also give those kids pause to think about (whether) they really want to be detained and have their mom and dad come and pick
them up . . ."
Lahti noted the Sheriffís Department would be willing to issue a press release in advance of next yearís Fourth of July celebration so the media could do a story to "explain the ramifications of this
type of behavior."
Lahti added, "Iíd like to be able to come up here and not write one ticket . . . but I think weíll have to get more hard-core."
Said Copper Harbor resident Peg Kauppi, "I really liked the idea that both enforcement agencies felt that a solution was out there (and) that we could find it."
Kauppi and her husband, Don Kauppi, co-owners of the Mariner North Restaurant and Lounge said they do not allow anyone under 21 in the door on July 4.
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Peg and Don Kauppi, co-owners of the Mariner North Restaurant and Lounge in Copper Harbor
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Ken Twardzik, owner of the Pines Resort in Copper Harbor, said his regular policy is not to allow youth 18 and under in his lounge area.
"Thatís been our policy forever," he said.
Both law enforcement officials and residents seemed to agree that the added enforcement of underage drinking laws would not hurt local businesses since youth tend to bring their own alcohol with them.
Peg Kauppi added the coming Labor Day weekend is "traditionally" a big weekend for Copper Harbor businesses until the color season, which attracts older, retired people and some young
couples without children. Drinking is "not even a factor" during the color season, she noted.
"Except for the Fourth of July, the biggest weekend is the first weekend in October because the people consider it the ëpeakí of the color," she said.
Dennis Sotala, whose pottery shop, Sataman Ruukku, is on the main street of Copper Harbor, agreed.
"Fall colors can be as big as a good day in August for most shops. The best day of the year can be in color season so I'm told," Sotala said.
- Michele Anderson
August 28, 2000
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