WELCOME

TO 

VERMILLION

 

A Guide for New Residents

 

 

Compliments of:

 

THE VERMILLION POLICE

DEPARTMENT

 

15 Washington Street

Vermillion, SD 57069

(605) 677-7070

 

 

A MESSAGE FROM THE

VERMILLION POLICE DEPARTMENT

 

Welcome,

 

On behalf of the staff of the Vermillion Police Department and the City of Vermillion, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all new and returning residents to Vermillion.

 

We’re a community that cares about people and the area where we live.  We take pride in the quality of life in Vermillion and we strive to ensure that, along with public safety, the quality of life is at the forefront of our efforts.  Like any other community, it is our experience that specific issues appear to surface more than others. 

 

The practice of being a good neighbor will reduce problems.  We suggest you take the time to introduce yourself to your neighbors. If you are planning an event at your residence, whether it’s a college party or child’s birthday party, talk with your neighbors beforehand, ask their concerns and agree on how those concerns will be addressed…then follow through.

 

 

 

 

This guide is a part of the Vermillion Police Department’s continuing effort to educate and facilitate awareness within the community.  It is our sincere hope that the information contained in this guide will assist in reducing any difficulties and alleviate confusion during your transition into the community.

 

Art Mabry

Chief of Police

 

 

 

 

 

PARKING

 

The City of Vermillion has established parking ordinances to regulate parking within the city.  These ordinances are designed to facilitate the safe flow of traffic, and provide access to driveways, fire hydrants, loading areas, and maintain visibility at intersections. On some occasions there are not enough parking spaces available in a desired area.  If you find an empty parking spot look, there may be a reason that the parking spot is empty.

 

PARKING REGULATIONS

 

It is a violation of City parking ordinances to:

 

·     Park a vehicle on private property without permission.

·     Park where signs or curb markings prohibit parking.

·     Park facing the oncoming lane of traffic.

·     Park on a sidewalk, block access to a sidewalk, driveway or park in an alley.

·     Remain parked for more than twenty-four hours on the street.

·     Park more than eighteen inches from the curb, or in a manner which leaves less than ten feet of the roadway available for travel.

·     Park within twenty-five feet of a crosswalk, fire hydrant, or intersection.

 

PARKING RESTRICTIONS

 

The downtown business area and several arterial streets are posted “NO PARKING 2am to 6am.”  Some residential areas are posted, ”PARKING FROM 6pm TO MIDNIGHT ONLY.” For more information on snow removal and snow routes, see the City of Vermillion snow removal brochure, or call the Service Department at 677-7078.

 

TRAFFIC

 

It is unlawful to cross a lane of traffic to enter or leave a parking space.  An example of this would be making a turn into a diagonal parking spot from the opposite side of the street being traveled.

 

A U-turn is defined as changing the direction of travel by more than ninety degrees.

 

U-Turns are lawful at most intersections as long as it is safe to do so.  The exception to this is Main Street, the downtown business district and where it is posted “No U-Turn.”

 

SPEED ZONES

 

The majority of streets in the City of Vermillion have 25 MPH speed limits.  The downtown business area is zoned for 20 MPH as are several other streets in the city.  Some of those are (but not limited to) East Clark Street, Cottage Avenue, Elm Street, South University Street, Prentis Street and Valley View Drive.

 

IMPORTANT: The speed limit around schools is 15 MPH and is strictly enforced.

 

 

 

 

NOISE

 

One of the most frequent complaints received by the Vermillion Police Department is that of noise.

Loud music, televisions, voices, and yelling can be disturbing and distressing to other residents.  The construction and proximity of residences, along with open windows and doors can compound the problem.

When the Vermillion Police Department receives a noise complaint, the complaint is investigated.  If it is determined that the complaint is valid, some type of action will be taken.  If the problem is not excessive and no previous complaints have been made against the residence, an officer will contact the occupant and make them aware of the problem and request cooperation in alleviating the problem.  If the noise is excessive, or if the residence has been previously warned about noise, enforcement action will be taken.  The occupant of the residence may be charged with Disorderly Conduct, or Maintaining a Disorderly House.  Occupants or visitors of a residence that is the source of noise complaints may also be cited for frequenting a Disorderly House.

A residence and its occupants that have been the source of excessive noise or previous noise complaints may be placed on Noise Probation for a period of six months.   If the residence is found to be the source of a valid noise complaint during that six-month period the occupants of the residence will be charged.  The occupants of the residence may also be assessed the cost of police department services to abate and resolve the source of the noise.

 

 

 

ALCOHOL

Alcohol has been found to be a common factor in many of the injuries and crimes that occur throughout the country.  To insure the safety and order of the community, the Vermillion Police Department aggressively enforces alcoholic beverage laws.

 

In order to consume or possess alcoholic beverages in the State of South Dakota a person must be twenty-one years of age. Any person found to be in possession of alcohol beverages or having consumed alcoholic beverages who is not twenty-one years of age, will be arrested.

 

¨    It is unlawful to possess an open container of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle.    It is also unlawful to possess an open alcoholic beverage container on any street, sidewalk, alley, public property, or park within the city limits.

 

¨    A person who attempts to purchase alcoholic beverages, and is not at least twenty-one years of age, is subject to arrest. Additional penalties are provided for fake or forged identification for the purposes of obtaining alcoholic beverages.  A person found in a bar under the age of twenty-one is subject to arrest and may be charged with trespassing.

 

¨    Maintaining a residence where alcoholic beverage laws are violated, is a Class 1 misdemeanor with additional provisions for civil charges against the occupants and property.

 

¨    It is unlawful to furnish or provide alcoholic beverages to a person less than twenty-one years of age. Alcoholic beverages may not be sold, bartered, traded, or included in any type admission without an alcoholic beverage license.