City wants residents to be safe on electric scooters
City leaders in Jasper are addressing safety concerns about electric bikes and scooters, particularly regarding young riders.
At a recent Jasper Board of Public Works and Safety meeting, they discussed ways to better promote and enforce the state’s e-bike and scooter policies.
Board member Nancy Eckerle shared a worrying sight: a child, who looked no older than 12, riding a scooter in heavy truck traffic at 6th and Newton streets. “It was really dangerous,” she said. “Why was that kid on a scooter in all that traffic?”
Clerk-Treasurer Kiersten Knies stated that she was aware of two accidents involving children on electric scooters that resulted in trips to the emergency room.
Assistant Police Chief Aaron Persohn was filling in for Chief Chad Dick at Tuesday’s Jasper Board of Public Works meeting. He told the board that in checking the call sheets, he hadn’t noted any calls for incidents involving the scooters.
“We’ll make sure our patrol team is aware and keeps looking out for these issues,” Persohn told Eckerle. “We’ll do what we can to address the problem.”
The city has already shared safety tips on Facebook and created a detailed page about the policy. But officials agree they need to do more to get the word out and educate people.
“Prevention is key here,” Mayor Dean Vonderheide emphasized.
The board is looking at resharing policy information on social media and finding new ways to spread the word about safe riding practices.
The board also approved the 2025 Turkey Trot race, scheduled for Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27. Event organizers Kyle and Jamie Jahn presented their request at the board meeting, seeking approval for road closures and parking restrictions.
The 21st annual Turkey Trot is expected to attract about 500 runners and walkers, plus spectators. The 5K race will kick off at 8 a.m., starting and finishing at 605 Main St.
Kyle mentioned, “Last year was our biggest turnout yet. We’re hoping for even more this time.”
The board approved a no-parking zone in the northwest quadrant of downtown from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on race day. They also authorized road closures at 7th and Main streets and 6th and Main streets during the same time frame.
Organizers requested a police presence at 15th and Main streets to ensure the safety of runners. The route will take participants through downtown Jasper and along the Riverwalk.
All proceeds from the event will go to Girls on the Run and the Greater Downtown Jasper Business Association.
In other news, Assistant Police Chief Aaron Persohn updated the board on the department’s activities, highlighting the work of school resource officers during the summer. “In June alone, those guys went through a ton of old cases and hit the vault. They’ve identified over a thousand pieces of evidence we can get rid of, making room for new stuff,” he said.
Persohn also recognized School Resource Officer Jason Knies for receiving a master’s accreditation from the Indiana School Resources Association.
The board approved junking 14 outdated police department computers and noted staffing changes in the dispatch center.
The board also approved:
- Buying 200,000 trash stickers from Trash Stickers Inc. for $6,169
- A $6,000 contract with Hoosier Business Machines to extract data from an outdated document management system
- Heard a report from Director of Community Development/Planning Josh Gunselman that 13 building permits were issued in June, creating four residential units, two commercial units, and eight accessory structures. The total value of permitted construction reached $2 million.
