Cedar Point to disband police department

SANDUSKY, Ohio – Cedar Point plans to disband its police department and turn law enforcement duties at the park over to the city of Sandusky.

The agreement between the city and Cedar Point was reached last week, following several incidents in recent months that drew increased attention to law enforcement issues at the park.

The Sandusky Register last year sued Cedar Point after the park refused to release basic information about an accident in August involving roller coaster Top Thrill Dragster. According to the lawsuit, the park’s police department should be required to follow Ohio’s public records law, releasing accident and other reports as required of all public law enforcement agencies.

Cedar Point, in its legal response, argued that its police department operated more like a private security detail — even though its officers receive state training and certification.

This new agreement between the city and Cedar Point clarifies the roles.

Sandusky Police Chief Jared Oliver said the city already provides an officer inside the park on most days. Under the new agreement, Sandusky will increase its police presence inside the park, while Cedar Point officers concentrate on security duties.

“We will handle criminal matters, if there are any,” Oliver said.

The agreement is still being finalized and will likely go into effect for the 2023 season.

Oliver said Sandusky is expected to hire several additional officers – with salaries paid for by Cedar Point – to staff the park.

The arrangement is similar to those that exist at other Cedar Fair parks, including Kings Island near Cincinnati.

“The safety of our area’s visitors, residents and employees is the highest priority for both the city of Sandusky and Cedar Point,” said a statement from the city and the park. “Both organizations have worked together tirelessly to ensure safety is at the forefront of everything they do, with a full commitment to protecting fun for all.”

It added, “Cedar Point, the Sandusky Police Department and the city of Sandusky are aligned on the future of their operations. The city of Sandusky and Cedar Point are currently evaluating Cedar Point’s full operation to determine how the Sandusky Police Department will fully police Cedar Point’s properties.”

Cedar Point spokesman Tony Clark declined to provide additional details on the agreement.

In the Top Thrill incident last summer, a Michigan woman was severely injured after a part flew off the ride and hit her in the head while she was standing in line. Cedar Point declined to release key details about the incident in the days following the accident. Ultimately, more than a week later, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, which oversees ride safety in the state, released the information.

The Cedar Point Police Department has been the subject of additional scrutiny in recent months, as several Ohio television news operations, including WKYC in Cleveland, highlighted more than two dozen sexual assaults in employee dorms since 2017. Men were charged in only three of the cases, according to the reports.

Cedar Point declined to discuss or release information in those cases, according to the news reports.

Oliver said Sandusky officers will police all Cedar Point properties, including hotels, employee housing, the Cedar Point Sports Center and elsewhere.

Sandusky City Manager Eric Wobser said the discussions about the city taking over policing in the park began several years ago.

“Some of the challenges of the last year or so probably brought this conversation back to the front burner,” he said. “At the end of the day, both Sandusky police and Cedar Point believe this is in the best interest of the park, the community and the city of Sandusky. It’s a win-win.”