Support for speed monitoring program comes from far and wide
A program to allow St. Joseph residents to nail speeders in their neighborhoods has elicited international support, and police will begin training volunteers later this month.
The new program under the St. Joseph Police Department will give radar guns to residents to clock speeders in their residential neighborhoods. Volunteers can’t write a ticket, but their report may result in warning letters being sent by police. Only motorists going at least 10 mph over the speed limit will be subject to the letters.
The neighborhood speed watcher program was prompted by the limited number of officers available to catch speeders and because police want residents to become more involved in their neighborhoods.
Traffic Sgt. Bill McCammon said since police announced the launch of the program earlier this month, he’s fielded numerous inquiries from across the country and Canada from people curious about or supportive of the novel initiative.
One woman in Mesa, Ariz., was so enthused to hear volunteers were helping police that she took down the department’s address to send in a check, Mr. McCammon said. Through local and national donations, police have made the initial purchase of two reconditioned radar guns, at $395 each.
The number of residents who want to run radar for police in their neighborhoods has been overwhelming, Mr. McCammon said.
Currently, volunteers are being put on a waiting list. Police expect to begin training and loaning out the radar guns within two weeks.
Mr. McCammon said police are still seeking business sponsors for a yard sign campaign that supplements radar guns in neighborhoods. For residents with a speeding complaint, but who don’t wish to run radar, police will offer neighborhoods yard signs that read “Slow Down.”
To volunteer as a neighborhood speed watcher, contact the traffic unit at 271-5359.
Ahmad Safi can be reached
at ahmadsafi@npgco.com.
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can you say vigilante justice? this is the most idiotic idea yet!
Posted by biggieroth on May 20, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)How can promoting by concerned citizens safe driving be idiotic?
I know this is the job of law enforcement, but it is not feasible to have them in your neighborhood all of the time.
In addition, the volunteers are not issuing tickets, and if people are worried about "retaliation", don't volunteer or move out your neighborhood, not a neighborhood I want to live in anyway.
Posted by across on May 20, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)So who is going to be there to protect the TRAINED citizens from the angry people that come back with an attitude or a gun?
Posted by LaCindaMae on May 20, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)It is a nice idea to think that the world used to work like it did and people had respect for others but I can see this causing many more problems than solutions!
Why not let neighborhoods choose where they would place speed bumps?
I think it's a great idea. They really need one in our neighbor hood i live 2 blocks from a school and the cars just speed by and don't care i can't tell you how many times a child has been almost hit or how many times there's almost been an accident in front of my house because people 1 can't read a stop sign and 2 go speeding up a dangerous hill. something needs to be done before a child is killed since the cops are never in my neighbor hood to stop any of it and yes i've called them numerous times
Posted by heritage on May 20, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)since it will only result in a warning, it is laughable to think that this will slow down the speeders. also, i predict a few sales of radar guns on ebay......... and i agree with across, the citizen soldier/busybodies will be at risk.
Posted by 4wildones on May 20, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)You all seem to be forgetting that if it was not for those idiots that want to break the law and speed, there would not be a need for the help. Would you rather pay for more officers so they can patrol more of the residential areas for speeders? If everyone had the decency to follow the law and the speed limit this would not be an issue. What are those of you whining so worried about unless you are some of the guilty ones?
Posted by itsme on May 21, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)Speed bumps are not possible on Mason road. People drive Mason road as if it were the interstate. I feel that the speed limit signs are for me not just everyone else so I dont speed therefore do not fear the radar. I figure too if I do make the mistake and speed I am at fault and am due the consequences. I just dont want to pay the fines of speeding not only monetary or having to live with the fact of hurting someone else from my being foolish. Maybe the police officers will take the information from the radar data and find the areas that need their attention most.
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