Deering Police Announce Citizen Traffic Surveys

From: Chief James H. Pushee

The Deering Police Department is officially announcing volunteer openings in their Citizen Traffic Survey Programs. In the past the Department has not widely advertised this program, although they have had one or two volunteers occasionally assist with this endeavor since 2003. Recently though, the Deering Police obtained a refurbished “handheld” RADAR Unit which is straightforward and simple to operate. This particular RADAR speed measuring device seems ideal for use during these Citizen Traffic Surveys.

As used by the Deering Police, a Citizen Traffic Survey consists of a volunteer citizen(s) who has been trained by the Deering Police in the use of a RADAR Speed Measuring Device. Thusly trained citizens will then be provided log sheets and access to this RADAR unit, and will be tasked with measuring and recording the speeds of all vehicles upon a specific stretch of roadway within Deering during a given one-hour period. The purpose of this program is to provide statistics and information to the Police Department regarding the actual vehicle speeds during these traffic surveys when a marked police cruiser is not visible in the area.

Volunteers who provide assistance with these Citizen Traffic Surveys will be asked to attend a training session in the use of the RADAR units. They will also be provided with a VIPS (Volunteers In Police Services) nametag identification card, but very importantly, they will NOT have any authority or training in stopping or apprehending any actual speeding vehicles or other violators. Additionally, while the Deering Police realize many citizens will want to participate specifically to monitor traffic speeds in their own neighborhoods, citizen volunteers will also be asked to conduct additional traffic surveys in other areas throughout the Town of Deering.

If any citizen is interested in assisting the Deering Police in this endeavor, they should call Chief James Pushee at the Deering Police Department Offices at phone #464-3127. Chief Pushee will be compiling a roster of interested volunteers prior to setting a training date for the use of the RADAR units.