News file photo

ALPENA – Alpena Snowplow and salt truck drivers have had to deal with more than just the stress of maintaining the icy and snowy roads this winter.

They have also been the target of abusive behavior and threats from frustrated residents. The hope is the situation will taper down before law enforcement get involved and address those who are confronting the city’s employees.

The abuse of the city employees reached the point where Alpena officials had to issue a press release to remind residents to be respectful to Department of Public Works employees who are doing the best they can under often hazardous conditions.

The City of Alpena sent out a news release Thursday entitled, “Winter Blues,” regarding abusive language and threatening gestures being directed at snowplow drivers.

“As everyone can attest, this has been an exceptionally rough winter season. The staff at the Department of Public Works (DPW) deserve a big thank you for the countless hours that they have spent behind the wheel of the plow trucks. They spend time away from their families so yours can be safe.”

The press release continues to say that city officials understand the frustration and reminds people the employees are just doing their jobs and do not deserve the abuse they have been receiving this winter.

“While we understand that the snow and weather can be frustrating, the plow drivers do not deserve to be the target of that frustration. They are simply doing their jobs. Please refrain from using abusive language or threatening gestures toward the drivers. This behavior is not appropriate and does not solve anything, it only creates tension in an already stressful environment.”

City of Alpena Engineer Steve Schultz discussed the situation, as winter continues to cause headaches. He said the focus of DPW workers has been, and will continue to be, on making Alpena’s roads safe to navigate.

“This year has been worse than usual, between the amount of snow we’ve gotten and the cold weather, it’s been a rough season,” Schultz said. “I want the community to realize that our roads are the first priority, we understand snow ends up in unwanted places, but our drivers are just doing the best they can,.”

The news release from Alpena comes days after a snowplow operator in Canada was assaulted in the City of Peterborough. A news story published on Feb 21, by globalnews.ca reported on the incident.

“A confrontation between a City of Peterborough snowplow operator and a resident has resulted in an assault charge and is raising concerns about the treatment of municipal workers across Ontario.”

A 56-year-old man was arrested and charged with assault after he allegedly opened the door of a city plow and twice tried to remove the driver’s hearing protection. The man is scheduled to appear in court in May.

City of Alpena Police Chief Eric Hamp, anyone thinking about taking their frustration out on a DPW employee, should probably think twice about doing so.

“There is absolutely no reason to approach a DPW driver,” Hamp said. “If you have concerns with a driver, contact the city, do not take matters into your own hands.”

If you have concerns you are encouraged to contact Shultz at (989) 354-1730 or steves@alpena.mi.us.