Bethel Park in support of radar for local police officers
Bethel Park officials want their municipal cops to have the same speed enforcement tools as state police.
Municipal council passed a resolution Jan. 8 in support of state Senate Bill 251, which would allow local police departments to use radar guns and similar technology to enforce speeding laws. The state senate passed the bill in November, and it is now awaiting action in the transportation committee of the state House.
Councilman Don Harrison said he could see no reason why local police should not be allowed to use the same equipment used by Pennsylvania State Police.
“We’re the only state that doesn’t allow local police to use radar,” Harrison said.
The bill would require all radar guns and similar devices to be calibrated and local officers to be trained by state police. Municipalities would also have to pass ordinances allowing radar and to install signs alerting motorists that local police may use radar to enforce speed limits.
Organizations such as the Pennsylvania State Mayors Association and the Chiefs of Police Association support SB 251. However, the National Motorist Association opposes it, arguing that allowing wider use of radar would lead to more speed traps and be used by some municipalities as a way to generate revenue.
Council also promoted two patrolmen to sergeant. Colby Grubich and Sean McGrail were promoted to the positions that will be vacant due to retirements. Grubich has been with Bethel Park Police since 2012. Before that, he was a police officer in California, Washington County. Sean McGrail has been with Bethel Park since 2006. His previous experience is with Clairton police.
Council also closed the account that was established at least 15 years ago as a public-private partnership to make improvements to Oxford Drive. The municipality floated a bond to pay for improvements to the road and businesses made the debt service payments.
That debt has now been paid and there is a few thousand dollars left in the account. That money will be split amongst the participating businesses.
Municipal Manager Shawn Arbaugh also announced a new Citizen Action Line for citizen comments and complaints. The system will allow municipal workers to better manage complaints, recognize patterns of problems and to ensure that nothing falls through the cracks, Arbaugh said.
Residents can use the system on Bethel Park’s website, www.bethelpark.net. Each complaint will be assigned a tracking number so that residents can check the status of the issue.