Police group in Mercer County wants OK to use radar

Only state police are allowed to use radar to enforce speed limits.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- The Mercer County Chiefs of Police Association wants the state Legislature to allow local police to use radar to enforce speed limits.
The common excuse the state uses is that local municipalities will abuse radar and use it to make money by creating speed traps, said Police Chief John Miller of Pymatuning Township, a spokesman for the county Chiefs of Police.
"That's a bogus excuse," Miller said, pointing out the state could solve that potential problem by directing all fine money garnered from the use of radar to the state, rather than the local municipality.
Putting that revenue into a police training fund might be a good way to use it, he said.
Sought support: Hempfield Township Police Chief Brian Arthur wrote a letter earlier this year to state Rep. Richard Geist of Blair County, R-79th, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, asking for his support for a bill already before the House that would allow local use of radar.
Geist replied that he opposed the bill and had no plans for it to even be considered by his committee.
The debate over the local use of radar has been a sore point between local police and the state legislature since Pennsylvania State Police were authorized to use it in 1961.
Local police can use various types of electronic timing devices, but those generally require two officers and a designated section of marked road.
It's cumbersome and limited, whereas radar is portable and can be used by a single person in any location.
Geist said that local government officials have had 40 years to make a credible case for the use of radar by local police but have failed to do so.
Miller said the state's refusal on the issue makes no sense.
Local police are granted the use of lethal force in enforcing the laws and are entrusted with the investigation of major crimes but the state seems to feel they can't be trusted with radar, he said.
"Voters speed," Miller said, expressing his belief on why legislators have been reluctant to allow radar to be used on local streets and roads.
The state wants its highways to be safe but it keeps handcuffing those charged with keeping them safe, he said.
Two local legislators who were asked about the issue said they favor granting local police the use of radar.
Proposed bill: Rep. Rod Wilt of Greenville, R-17th, said that Rep. Dennis Leh of Berks County, R-130th, has come up with a proposed bill that he believes will find acceptance.
"People drive too damn fast," Wilt said, adding that speed limits are very difficult to enforce.
"I would support it," said Rep. Dick Stevenson of Grove City, R-8th. "I don't see why local police shouldn't have it."
He said he is also interested in Leh's bill but the biggest fear appears to be that local police will use radar to boost local revenues.
To avoid that problem, Stevenson said he may introduce an amendment to Leh's bill, or other similar legislation, that would require any revenue gained from using radar to ticket motorists on state roads go to the state instead of the local government.
Geist said that Leh worked on his bill in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association but that he still remains skeptical about authorizing the use of radar by local police.
Restrictions: Leh's bill, which is expected to be introduced in a few weeks, would allow local police to use both radar and LIDAR (infrared laser light devices) but stipulates they must be properly trained and full-time members of a full-service police department.
Other provisions of the bill include:
U Radar enforcement zones must be clearly marked with signs, and those using it must clearly be visible to the public.
U Tickets can't be written unless the driver is at least 6 mph over the 55 mph speed limit. In areas where the speed limit is less than 55, tickets can't be issued unless the driver is going at least 10 mph over the posted limit, except in a school zone.
U No can radar be used within 500 feet after a speed limit sign indicating a decrease in speed, except in school and work zones.
U Using radar to generate revenue is prohibited and can be used as a defense against prosecution if the revenue generated from traffic violations exceeds 5 percent of the total municipal budget.