As
law enforcement has evolved throughout the years we have seen an
increase in the need for specialization. Traffic safety is one of
those areas where specially trained personnel are required for the many
different tasks encompassed under this umbrella.
In law enforcement circles the area of traffic safety is targeted from
"The Three E's." They are education, enforcement, and
engineering.
Ptl. William "Bis" Bismarck, our Traffic Safety Officer,
speaks at various events around town especially
in the high school. This is part of our education push.
Every other year Ptl. Bismarck assembles a large event prior to prom
night where a mock accident scene is set up in front of the entire junior
and senior class. It really is something to see. Using high
school students and police officers as actors, the scene is
narrated. A drunk driving accident has taken place, and the
audience gets to see the aftermath. Police cars, fire trucks, and
ambulances come racing in, and it is treated as a real
incident. The event is topped off by the arrival and landing
of a North Star helicopter flown in to remove the critically
wounded. When it concludes, all the students are brought inside
and are addressed by a panel made up of police officers, anti-DWI
groups, and inmates serving jail sentences for causing the death of
another from drinking and driving. It is all part of education.
Regarding the enforcement, radar equipped patrol cars are situated in
various areas prone to speeding offenses. Violators are stopped
and ticketed for their offense. Additionally, our agency now has a
radar trailer (seen to the left) which can be set up in problem areas. Drivers can
see their speeds as they approach the trailer. All enforcement
efforts are supplemented by officers in the Patrol Division.
Finally, we have the engineering prong. Remedying traffic problems
can often be accomplished by adding additional signs, installing speed
strips or speed bumps, narrowing or widening streets, and even putting
down lane and street markings.
If you have a complaint, comment, or suggestion, please email our
Traffic Safety Division by clicking here.
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