Local law enforcement can’t use radars, a police chief says that needs to change
PENNSYLVANIA. (WHTM) – Radar is used by local law enforcement in every other state except Pennsylvania.
Hampden Township Police Chief Jason Yerg say it’s time for that to change.
“Probably the number one complaint that we get as administrators of local law enforcement is speed enforcement through communities,” said Police Chief Jason Yerg.
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State Police can use radar in Pennsylvania, but if two bills introduced last year were signed into law, it would allow local officers to use radar which he says is the most accurate, most reliable, safety way to do speed enforcement.
Over the past three years data shows over 1,000 traffic fatalities with hundreds of those related to speed.
“Everyone speeds these days, and it is the number two contributing cause to deaths on the roadway. So, it’s a very important issue that needs to be addressed,” said The McShane Firm, LLC owner and CEO Justin McShane.
But attorney Justin McShane says there’s a potential problem.
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“The potential for abuse to drive up local revenue. Making sure that it doesn’t become that good old speed trap where these local police are using as a revenue stream, and everyone gets a ticket,” said McShane.
Chief Yerg responding to the concern saying this isn’t a money grab.
“We get very little of any of the proceeds from any speeding related enforcement that we do, exactly half of the actual fine amount. So not the citation amount. The fine amount,” said Chief Yerg.
Yerg also pointing out, in one of the bills, there’s an initial 90-day period where officers can only give a warning.
It also says revenue generated from using a radar can’t exceed a 1% increase of revenue generated by speed enforcement in the previous calendar year.
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