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Chief: Speed sign works
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| Smile, you're being watched A car passes by a new, speed indicating device on Joslen Boulevard near the entrance to the Greenport Town Park Thursday. The portable device belongs to the Greenport Police Department and can be used to make drivers more aware of their speed. Robert Ragaini/Hudson-Catskill Newspapers |
By Paul Crossman
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
On Wednesday, the Greenport Police Department became the proud new owner of a traffic speed display, which — for the time being — has been placed by the Greenport Town Park in an effort to deter speeders.
“It’s an effective tool to make drivers aware of their speed,” said Police Chief Kevin Marchetto. “Part of the people policing policy is educating, not just writing tickets.” The new radar speed display is a very effective teaching tool, he said, because people can see just how much over the speed limit they are traveling without the burden of paying a ticket.
The type of speed display recently purchased by Greenport is the common type seen and used effectively all over America, and the chief says that he believes it to be a good addition to the tools of the police force, as well as a good investment for the town.
Police almost immediately placed the sign on Joslen Boulevard, a road which has generated complaints both to police and the town board. These complaints though, according to Marchetto, were only part of the reason for the sign placement.
“Joslen’s always been a problem, and we’ve always gotten complaints,” he said, “but there’s also a playground there, which kids are still playing on.” He went on to say that for both these reasons, the park on Joslen seemed to be a good starting area, and that it appears to be helping already.
Marchetto said that he and other officers had been out in the area in unmarked cars watching the traffic patterns, and said that for the most part when people saw their speed on the sign they slowed significantly.
Other officers agreed, saying that the sign helped because until it was installed, many people just didn’t realize how fast they were traveling on the long, relatively-straight stretch.
Though the display is on Joslen Boulevard right now, Marchetto says it’s mobile and very easy to move, and plans to have it placed at various locations throughout the community as time goes on.
“As we get traffic complaints, we’ll move it around,” he said, adding that some of the places he plans to use it on in the future are Mt. Merino and Middle Road.
The initial proposal to purchase such a machine came from Deputy Town Supervisor Keith Mortfolio and after discussing the issue with Marchetto and the rest of the police department, it was decided that it would be a good investment — and durable enough to last.
Marchetto believes that the sign will help people realize their speed and slow down on their own accord, but it is not, he said, replacing his officers going out on the road with radar guns to give tickets.
“I’m sure the town appreciates this more than just giving a ticket,” he told the Register-Star. “But [once the speed display] is moved, maybe the next week we’ll have a radar out there. You can only warn people so many times.”
***
To reach reporter Paul Crossman call 518-828-1616, ext. 2266, or e-mail pcrossman@registerstar.com.
“It’s an effective tool to make drivers aware of their speed,” said Police Chief Kevin Marchetto. “Part of the people policing policy is educating, not just writing tickets.” The new radar speed display is a very effective teaching tool, he said, because people can see just how much over the speed limit they are traveling without the burden of paying a ticket.
The type of speed display recently purchased by Greenport is the common type seen and used effectively all over America, and the chief says that he believes it to be a good addition to the tools of the police force, as well as a good investment for the town.
Police almost immediately placed the sign on Joslen Boulevard, a road which has generated complaints both to police and the town board. These complaints though, according to Marchetto, were only part of the reason for the sign placement.
“Joslen’s always been a problem, and we’ve always gotten complaints,” he said, “but there’s also a playground there, which kids are still playing on.” He went on to say that for both these reasons, the park on Joslen seemed to be a good starting area, and that it appears to be helping already.
Marchetto said that he and other officers had been out in the area in unmarked cars watching the traffic patterns, and said that for the most part when people saw their speed on the sign they slowed significantly.
Other officers agreed, saying that the sign helped because until it was installed, many people just didn’t realize how fast they were traveling on the long, relatively-straight stretch.
Though the display is on Joslen Boulevard right now, Marchetto says it’s mobile and very easy to move, and plans to have it placed at various locations throughout the community as time goes on.
“As we get traffic complaints, we’ll move it around,” he said, adding that some of the places he plans to use it on in the future are Mt. Merino and Middle Road.
The initial proposal to purchase such a machine came from Deputy Town Supervisor Keith Mortfolio and after discussing the issue with Marchetto and the rest of the police department, it was decided that it would be a good investment — and durable enough to last.
Marchetto believes that the sign will help people realize their speed and slow down on their own accord, but it is not, he said, replacing his officers going out on the road with radar guns to give tickets.
“I’m sure the town appreciates this more than just giving a ticket,” he told the Register-Star. “But [once the speed display] is moved, maybe the next week we’ll have a radar out there. You can only warn people so many times.”
***
To reach reporter Paul Crossman call 518-828-1616, ext. 2266, or e-mail pcrossman@registerstar.com.
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