Residents may notice an increased police presence on Main Street in Warrenton after Police Chief Larry Ellard directed officers to work to deter speeding on the street at the May 20 board of aldermen meeting.
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Residents may notice an increased police presence on Main Street in Warrenton after Police Chief Larry Ellard directed officers to work to deter speeding on the street at the May 20 board of aldermen meeting.
“We’ve received a lot of complaints about speeding on Main Street, so just so everybody knows we’re gonna be doing directed traffic enforcement on Main Street. Speed limit is 20, everyone needs to slow down,” said Ellard.
Lieutenant Justin Unger clarified that under directed traffic enforcement, officers are required to take time on their shifts to monitor a specific road, following complaints. He said the department had received complaints of speeding on Main Street.
Alderman Christine Wait also requested that officers use the time to crack down on truck drivers “jake braking” within city limits, as it is disruptive and in violation of city ordinances.
Ellard said the goal is for the increased presence to deter speeding on its own, but that they would issue citations if necessary.
“I’d rather get voluntary compliance without tickets getting written,” said Ellard.
Unger echoed those sentiments and emphasized the focus of the initiative is on safety, not ticketing.
Unger continued saying the street will remain under directed traffic enforcement for a period of two weeks, at which point he will compile results from officers’ logs of their time on the street.
If those logs show a decrease in speeding, the increased enforcement will come to an end. If efforts have not been effective, it will continue until the violations have been mitigated, according to Unger.
