The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service will begin using its utility terrain vehicle to conduct patrols and respond to calls for service along the John Rowswell Hub Trail. Spanning about 25 kilometres, the hub trail includes several sections that travel through forested and other areas that can be difficult to access with conventional police vehicles. New vehicle added to fleet The UTV, also known as a side-by-side, was added to the police fleet in May 2026. Its smaller size and off-road capabilities allow officers to access areas that may otherwise need to be reached on foot, while providing space to carry essential equipment. Ben Bolduc, the force’s inspector of patrol services, said the vehicle will improve police response and visibility along the trail. “The UTV will allow officers to more efficiently access these areas when responding to calls for service and conducting general patrols,” the service wrote in a news release Wednesday. Safety and deterrence Police said the new patrol method is intended to enhance safety for trail users. “The hub trail is well used by our community, and we want everyone to feel safe while enjoying it,” Bolduc said. “Using the UTV will allow officers to more effectively patrol areas that aren’t easily accessible by cruiser, respond to calls for service, and maintain a visible police presence to help deter criminal activity and enhance safety along the trail.” Patrol use and trail guidelines “The UTV will be used for both proactive patrols and responses to calls for service on the Hub Trail,” added police. The city said the hub trail remains open for regular use and local police have advised that only specially trained officers will operate the UTV with consideration for pedestrians, cyclists, and other trail users. Police have also asked trail users to remain aware of their surroundings, keep to the right and yield to the police UTV when it is approaching. Patrol services also used the announcement of the UTV patrol to remind community members that the hub trail has a strict 20 km/h speed limit and is reserved for pedestrians, non-motorized traffic, traditional bicycles and qualifying power-assisted bicycles. “The general public is not permitted to operate ATVs, UTVs, electric kick-style scooters, or other such vehicles on the hub trail,” said police. City by-law 2018-13 governs traffic on the trail. More information about the John Rowswell Hub Trail is available on the city’s website.
