The Benton Township Police Department is getting some radar-controlled speed signs to warn drivers when they’re going too fast.
Benton Township Chief Greg Abrams spoke to township trustees this past week and said since COVID, the department, like many, has seen an increase in speeding out on the roads. He’s had calls from residents concerned about reckless driving not only on major roads like M-139 and Nickerson, but also in neighborhoods.
Abrams told us with staffing challenges in the police department, it’s also been harder to catch speeders.
“I’ve seen personally myself cars digging in and out of traffic, 20 miles or over speed limit, and by the time I get an officer in the area, that car’s already gone,” Abrams said. “We give a plate number out and, of course, we can’t find him. So, now we’re hoping that these signs blinking the numbers at them as they approach will take care of some of that.”
The signs start blinking and warn a driver when they’re going too fast. Abrams said neighboring police departments have told him they are effective in getting at least many drivers to slow down.
Trustees authorized the Benton Township Police Department to purchase two of the signs from Traffic Solutions at a cost of about $4,900 per sign, with the maintenance contract and warranty included.
Abrams said the department of public works has agreed to move the signs around to trouble areas periodically, adding the signs are equipped with GPS and other theft-control features. He said they resemble the speed sign St. Joseph has posted along Napier Avenue as drivers enter town.
