HARRISBURG, Pa. (EYT) — A bill that would permit municipal police department in Pennsylvania to use radar to catch speeding drivers was approved on Tuesday by the State Senate.
(Photo by Dave Cyphert of ProPoint Media Photography)
Senate Bill 607, sponsored by Senator Mario Scavello (R-Monroe), passed with a 49-to-1 vote, and will now move forward for consideration in the House.
“I think it would give us the tools that we need to be able to control speeding in different areas where we can’t with the devices we currently use,” Chief William Peck, of the Clarion Borough Police, told exploreClarion.com.
Chief Peck noted that other devices available to municipal police departments, like AccuTrak and other speed-timing devices, are limited in the areas in which they can be used.
“People often question AccuTrak because of the possibility of officer error,” New Bethlehem Borough Chief of Police Robert Malnofsky said.
“Radar would eliminate that issue.”
According to Chief Malnofsky, there are also issues with the ENRADD speed detection system available to municipal police.
“It takes multiple officers to use, which is one downfall because you don’t want to leave the machine sitting along the road to be stolen or hit. Those machines are over $3,000.00.”
Chief Vince Markle of the Brookville Borough Police said much the same.
“Radar is definitely a great tool, and it’s about time Pennsylvania caught up to every other state. Outside of Pennsylvania, everyone has radar, from the Sheriff’s Department to municipal departments,” Markle added.
Chief Kevin Anundson, of the Franklin Police Department, added that it would give the officers more flexibility on enforcing some of the problem areas.
“Now, when we use painted lines on the road, there is the issue of line of sight, and you have to be able to see beyond those lines enough to see the cars approaching,” Anundson explained.
“But, if we can see them, then they can see us. That’s great for getting them to slow down at the time, but we need to be able to enforce with penalties, not just when they can see us.”
Chief Anundson noted some of the same problems with the ENRADD system as Chief Malnofsky, as well.
“The main issue is set-up and tear-down and that we have to chain them down and lock them to something so they’re not stolen. That limits the places we can set it up.”
In Sugarcreek Borough, Chief Robert Wenner said that he was “pleasantly surprised” the bill had passed the Senate and was moving on.
“Past excuses (for denying radar to municipal police) were just that: excuses. They weren’t based in fact or on statistics,” Chief Wenner said.
“Radar would really assist us in reducing speed violations and speed-related crashes. It would give us the mobility to be where we need to be when we need to be there.”
Oil City Police Interim Chief Dave Ragon noted that it would give municipal police “another tool in the toolbox.”
“It would definitely cut down on the time setting up,” he said.
Pennsylvania’s current laws only allow state police to utilize radar, while municipal police are required to use other methods to measure how fast people are driving, leaving Pennsylvania as the only state in the nation that does not allow municipal police to use radar.
The bill currently under consideration includes a cap, limiting the amount of revenue a municipality can get from speeding tickets. The bill would also require local governments to post signs warning drivers that they utilize radar.
