09/09/2026
FYI if you use the hub trail.
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service (SSMPS) will begin using its Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) to conduct patrols and respond to calls for service along the John Rowswell Hub Trail.
Spanning approximately 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. The UTV will allow officers to more efficiently access these areas when responding to calls for service and conducting general patrols.
Also known as a side-by-side, the UTV was added to the SSMPS 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.
“The Hub Trail is well used by our community, and we want everyone to feel safe while enjoying it,” says Ben Bolduc, Inspector of Patrol Services. “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.”
The UTV will be used for both proactive patrols and responses to calls for service on the Hub Trail.
Trail users are asked to remain aware of their surroundings, keep to the right, and yield to the police UTV when it is approaching.
The Hub Trail remains open for regular use, and specially trained officers will operate the UTV with consideration for pedestrians, cyclists, and other trail users.
Community members are reminded 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.
To learn more about the John Rowswell Hub Trail, visit saultstemarie.ca/play/parks-recreation/john-rowswell-hub-trail/ or refer to By-law 2018-13 Use of Vehicles on Hub Trail.
For information regarding where off-road vehicles can be operated in The City of Sault Ste. Marie, please refer to By-law 2023-69 Operation of Off Road Vehicles.