Moving Violations—

Expanded Traffic Enforcement Continuing

By Andrew Gorosko

Police Commission members this week learned that town police are continuing their selective traffic enforcement program intended to address public concerns about speeding, aggressive driving, and distracted drivers.

Police Captain Joe Rios told Police Commission members March 4 that the enforcement project is well underway, using police overtime funds that recently were approved by the commission. The Police Commission is the local traffic authority.

According to statistics provided by police, on March 4, from 6 to 10 am, police conducted speed enforcement at Great Hill Road, Taunton Hill Road, Boggs Hill Road, and Flat Swamp Road. Police issued 17 infraction tickets to motorists for traveling too fast.

Also, from 2 to 6 pm that day, police conducted special traffic enforcement along Washington Avenue. Police ran safety checks and automotive equipment checks there. They issued 27 written warnings for failure to have headlamps lit during precipitation, two written warnings for failure to have a front marker plate, and one written warning for a seatbelt violation.

On February 25 and 27, police did selective enforcement projects on Main Street, Swamp Road, Washington Avenue, Glen Road, Dodgingtown Road, Poverty Hollow Road, and Wasserman Way. That enforcement included the issuance of 35 infractions for illegal use of a handheld cellphone while driving.

Capt Rios told commission members that police plan to conduct their selective enforcement in the coming weeks in the areas near schools.

Police Commission member Brian Budd asked whether there has been any public “backlash” concerning the police’s heightened traffic enforcement program.

Police Chief Michael Kehoe responded he had received one telephone call from a parent of a young woman who was charged with a speeding violation, asking about the violation’s implications.

Capt Rios pointed out that people who receive infractions for handheld cellphone use while driving are able to get their infraction tickets nullified in court, provided that they provide the court with proof that they have purchased a “hands-free” cellphone device. Such equipment allows motorists to use a cellphone while driving without having to hold a cellphone in their hand.

Capt Rios said police would prefer that the public voluntarily comply with traffic laws, but unless that happens, “We’re going to strictly enforce the law.”

Chief Kehoe explained that each day before the selective enforcement program starts, police are given specific instructions on how to approach their duties.

Police Commission Chairman Carol Mattegat said that officers enforcing the traffic laws should not be intimidated by people who hold political office, or by people who are related to police officers.

Additional selective traffic enforcement was scheduled for March 6.  

Chief Kehoe told commission members that police plan to position one unmanned police patrol car in various locations around town to serve as a deterrent against traffic violations.

Expanded traffic law enforcement by police has been a frequent topic of discussion at Police Commission meetings amid continuing public calls for increased enforcement against traffic law violators.

Also, at the March 4 Police Commission meeting, Sandy Hook resident Ed Miklaszewski offered commission members some suggestions on how better to deal with the hazardous traffic conditions at the five-legged Main Street flagpole intersection.

He suggested that police install a video camera near the flagpole to watch traffic in the area. That camera’s output would be displayed at the town’s emergency dispatch center at the police station, he said.

Signs should be posted near the flagpole stating that the area is under video surveillance, he said. Also, the output from such a camera should be recorded in the event that evidence is needed for a given incident, he said.

Mr Miklaszewski said the town should conduct a two-month trial program under which a police officer would be positioned at the flagpole during the morning and evening rush periods to expedite traffic flow through the congested area. He said he opposes installing traffic signals at the flagpole.