New rules just approved by the Berrien County Board of Commissioners should help keep the peace at Silver Beach, but they’ll also apply to all county parks.

Under the parks ordinance amendments passed by the county commission Thursday, penalties for violations of policy are clearly laid out, and the sheriff’s department is given the power to charge someone with trespassing for certain violations. Berrien County Parks Director Jill Adams tells us the rules were developed between her staff, the sheriff, and the county corporate counsel as they sought to reduce fights at the beach.

However, Adams says the vast majority of parks visitors do use the facilities peacefully.

“We really want to ensure that our visitors can enjoy the parks without disruptions or unlawful behavior,” Adams said. “These changes really are focused on our park goers that come and enjoy the park and follow the rules. These ordinance changes going forward are just another way for park staff and law enforcement to be able to handle the people that come and don’t want to do that.”

Adams says the last time the parks ordinance was reviewed was in 2017, and since then, changes in the world around us have been happening that necessitated updates. While Silver Beach gets the headlines, Adams says there can be disturbances at any park, although they’re not common.

“Every once in a while at our various parks, someone will come in, just be disruptive in different ways. So, these park ordinance will help us at all of our properties.”

Adams believes the changes approved by commissioners will help, although again, she says most parks visitors are just normal people looking to relax.

Under the trespassing rule, someone who causes a disturbance could be charged and then banned from all county parks for a full year. There is an appeals process.

The new rules take effect next Friday.