Cedar Point Police - Cell Phone Debate

I have been in line for Blue Streak 5 or 6 times this season and the train had to be stopped on the lift hill due to someone having their cell phone out.

Since it is against Ohio law shouldn't the offending party be given a citation.

Cedar Point has a Police Department, wouldn't it make sense for them to strictly enforce this law.

I think it would put an end to this issue.

I want everyone to know up front, I am not bashing the Cedar Point Police Department, just thinking out loud on how to prevent people from getting injured due to the fact they are breaking Ohio law.

You want guests to be given a citation and have a misdemeanor on their record, which could follow them for years and years, prevent them from obtaining gainful employment, and ruin their lives because you had to wait a few extra minutes in line at a roller coaster?

Noting screams “#Best Day!” More than a run in with the law!

PS, it would most certainly not prevent it from happening again.

^^ SV has a sign prominently using the threat of a misdemeanor to enforce its policy. So what's different about using that threat for the less strict rides?

Yes, give them a misdemeanor, put up a sign at all 4 entrances reminding attending guests the severity of the situation, and if they violate the law, the Cedar Point police issue that offending individual a citation.

Cedar Point is good at making signs.

Quid Pro Quo, since the Cedar Point Police does not write citations for people with their cell phones out on the ride, wouldn't that make Cedar Point liable if someone were to get injured from a cell phone while on the ride.

The ride ops are always reminding people that it is against Ohio Law, wouldn't it be in Cedar Point's best interest to keep everyone safe by enforcing the law.

You’re really not aware of how this whole ‘Law Thing’ works huh?

If you have your cell phone out on a ride, you should be removed from the park. Harsh? Yes, but I'm thinking of my safety. Besides, you were warned.

JustCoasting - have you ever had an enjoyable day at Cedar Point. Or, ever? Your rants are becoming troll like.

You really think a college kid taking a selfie on a coaster lift hill for their Instachatbook should have this on their permanent record? To quote one of my all time movies, lighten up Francis.

CPVet said:

You want guests to be given a citation and have a misdemeanor on their record, which could follow them for years and years, prevent them from obtaining gainful employment, and ruin their lives because you had to wait a few extra minutes in line at a roller coaster?

Noting screams “#Best Day!” More than a run in with the law!

PS, it would most certainly not prevent it from happening again.

I don't know what the specific Ohio Law is covering this.

I would presume they're similar to laws in New Jersey for similar offenses.

Just because you break a "law",and get a citation,for something like speeding,doesn't mean you have a misdemeanor conviction.

I wouldn't think that Ohio makes this a criminal offense,especially for a first offense.

Repeated violations could eventually escalate to a criminal charge.

If there are any Ohio Lawyers here,maybe they could explain how it works in Ohio.

GigaG said:

^^ SV has a sign prominently using the threat of a misdemeanor to enforce its policy. So what's different about using that threat for the less strict rides?

The law that would cover this would be the "follow all instructions" law so should they start citing people who have their arms up on Top Thrill Dragster? The instructions specifically say "arms down". Should we cite people for rocking the horses on Cedar Downs? A police state at the amusement park is sure to be a real hoot. I can't wait.

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1711.551

Thanks Red Garter Rob. I believe this section is also important as it describes the penalty for violating Section 1711.551 as guilty of a “minor misdemeanor” for the first offense and misdemeanor of the fourth degree for every subsistent offense.

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1711.99v1

Also, i’m not licensed in Ohio. But, from a quick search on “the google” it seems that the maximum penalty for a minor misdemeanor in Ohio is $150. The maximum penalty for a misdemeanor of the fourth degree is $250 with a maximum confinement of no more than 30 Days. It also appears that minor misdemeanors are not permanently recorded on any personal record. If I had a client charged with a minor misdemeanor, I would suggest he not pay me as there’s not much about which to worry.

An Ohio lawyer here... (Somebody call me???). A minor misdemeanor is the equivalent of a parking or speeding ticket, with no points obviously. I am familiar with the Municipal Court in Sandusky. I cannot imagine anyone grtting dinged even 150 bucks for such an infraction in that court.
Also, if Cedar Point (who lobbied like hell for the law) wanted to enforce it, the offenders would be paying the court. Do you really think Cedar Point wants to let somebody with a hundred and fifty bucks in their pocket off the peninsula? It’s just bad business to enforce for very little gain

I want the maximum penalty for anyone dumb or selfish enough to be holding a cell phone that might do the same thing that happened to this guy on El Toro....

"According to the lawsuit, Huzinec suffered "serious and permanent" damage to his eye, including loss of vision in his right eye, a fracture to the orbital socket limiting movement of the eye, a traumatic cataract and other injuries."

But hey, no big deal...selfie videos are far more important than someone's safety on a fricking roller coaster, right?

Or driving a car????!

I never take a phone into any park. I’m the exception though and It should be expected that every person has at least a cell phone, wallet, and/or keys.

Don’t miss the mark on this Cedar Fair. Time to bring sexy and sleek “fanny packs” to market. Either you empty your pockets on every ride or you buy the $19.99+ approved wearable in which personal items can be safetly stored. Ain’t nobody leaving their phones laying around even if the ride has storage bins.

I see enthusiasts, GP, teenagers, and adults taking videos of themselves on rides. Holding Go Pro's in one hand, and cell phone in the other. At some point it has to stop.

The only way it is going to stop is if the park starts enforcing the rules and in this case the laws.

Is it practical for Cedar Point to have a Cedar Point police officer at every ride. No, however Cedar Point does have an extensive security force roaming the park along with the Cedar Point Police.

I have been to Cedar Point 30+ times in 2018, I have never seen a security guard or police officer in a station or a queue of a ride. I was at Kings Dominion over the Summer and multiple times and on multiple occasions, I witnessed security officers present at several rides, why Cedar Point doesn't do the same is beyond me.

There was a Cedar Point Police officer in the Steel Vengeance queue Sunday night, presumably looking for cell phones.

I’d like to make a motion that all riders who are not in proper riding position, i.e. facing forward, head back and shoulders against the headrest, both hands on the grab bar, also be escorted out of the park and fined. It’s on the sign, after all, and it’s for their own safety. Darn hooligans.

Motion Seconded!

Let’s arrest Everyone at the water park too!! They not only put themselves in danger but lifeguards too, LOCK EM UP!!

Every safety rule must be adhered to 100%,
‘Arms Down!’ Pause ‘Arms Down!’ Pause ‘Arms Down!’, etc....

I wonder what the fine will be for not returning your pool towel to the dirty towel container?