Scoldings from police were not enough to keep sightseers off the dikes, so the city of Grand Forks now will be issuing fines and even jail time for violators.
Mayor Mike Brown signed an emergency order Monday that would allow police to issue up to $1,000 fines and/or 30 days in jail for each violation.
He said it's for the people's own protection lest they fall into the Red River's swift flow and for the protection of rescuers who would have to brave the river to rescue them.
Before the maximum fine for violating an emergency order in North Dakota was $151, though Grand Forks police had not issued any fines. Both Grand Forks and East Grand Forks had emergency orders forbidding sightseers on the dikes.
Brown said police did not issue any fines Monday because he wants to get the word out about the higher penalty first.
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At an emergency City Council meeting Monday, city leaders saw a photo that showed a man standing on an ice sheet by the obelisk flood monument near the Sorlie Bridge.
City Engineer Al Grasser said after the man got off the sheet, it broke off and floated downstream.
At that point, the river was not as swollen as it is now or will be as it continues to rise.
Council member Terry Bjerke said it's wrong for sightseers to put rescuers at risk. "I'd let them float to Winnipeg."
Sightseers should use tall public buildings, such as the county office building or the parking ramp next to it, if they want to see the river.
In East Grand Forks, Mayor Lynn Stauss said city staff has not had to ask him to increase the fines. He said he doesn't think there's been much of a problem with sightseers there.
