Politics & Government

Chief: Residents Happy With Speed Enforcement Effort

Hellertown Police Chief Robert Shupp told Borough Council Aug. 6 that the electronic speed monitoring sign his department has been using is helping to identify areas where motorists routinely disobey posted speed limits.

The electronic speed monitoring sign the Hellertown Police Department acquired earlier this year continues to prove effective, Police Chief Robert Shupp told Hellertown Borough Council Aug. 6.

Shupp told council that a recent analysis of data collected by the computerized sign revealed that most motorists on Main Street (Route 412) in the borough travel at an average speed that is close to the posted speed limit of 30 mph.

Data showed that southbound traffic averaged 31 to 33 mph on Main Street, and northbound traffic averaged 31 to 32 mph, Shupp said.

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"I think the sign did what it was supposed to do," he told council. "I think moving it around has helped on Main Street."

Since its placement at various points along the Main Street corridor, the electronic sign has been moved to Easton Road, near the Morning Star Road cul-de-sac.

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Speeds measured on Easton Road have been well above the posted speed limits of 25 to 35 mph, initially averaging 45 to 47 mph in that area according to data, Shupp said.

With such high speeds being recorded, Shupp said he directed officers to patrol the Easton Road corridor, which has helped to curb speeding.

This effort has been recognized and appreciated by residents, who "seem to be pretty happy with the effectiveness of (the sign)," he added.

Shupp told council that the speed monitoring sign will remain on Easton Road in the near future, but will be repositioned to monitor northbound traffic.

Borough Council President asked the chief if the sign can be placed on Constitution Avenue, in the borough's Mountainview neighborhood.

Shupp said he plans to move it there in the future, but not until the fall.

He said he's also open to suggestions from members of the public about locations for the sign in Hellertown.

"Thank you for thinking to get that sign," councilwoman Gail Nolf told the chief.


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