
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 26, 1991                   TAG: 9102260402
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LYNN G. FRITH
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

WHERE BOONES MILL'S CAMARO FITS IN

USING a performance-oriented vehicle for police work use is nothing new. North Carolina, Florida, Michigan and other states have long recognized the advantages and safety aspects of specialized vehicles for certain tasks such as for traffic-congested areas, as well as radar enforcement.

Most commonly used is the Mustang GT. However, the police Camaro is a new model just introduced by General Motors to compete with the Mustang. The police Camaro costs only $18 more than a Caprice with the same options.

All police departments have strict guidelines for operation and use of police vehicles. Foremost is the safety of other persons and vehicles, as well as the safety of the officer, in both pursuit and non-pursuit situations. Common sense is instilled into all training.

The fact that a person exceeds the posted speed limit does not make him or her a criminal. Boones Mill has a highly effective selective-enforcement program that has decreased accidents and injuries. This program consists of a unique warning system. Speeders who exceed the speed limit by 12 or 13 mph are stopped and given their choice of a warning or a speeding summons.

Violators 14 mph or more above the limit are not given this option. (No one so far has chosen the summons instead of the warning.) All notices are stored in a computer mounted inside the patrol vehicle, as you are allowed one warning for a specific violation per year.

An important part of police work is public relations. Selective enforcement is a fair and equal program designed to give marginal violators a second chance, yet keep our goal of traffic safety foremost for the 17,000 vehicles that pass through Boones Mill each day. A police vehicle designed for traffic enforcement, and equipped with high-tech devices such as dual-antenna radar and on-board information computers, is becoming a necessity if you are to perform effectively.

Overall, the new police vehicle has brought a positive response. Motorists are waving who never waved before. The town is proud of its new vehicle, as it represents the foundation for our traffic safety program.

If we are to be criticized in our attempts to make our highways safer for everyone, then I will accept the criticism of our efforts to achieve this goal. This is what Mayor Murray meant when she stated, "If we can save just one life, then it's worth it." Perhaps a town's being proud is not so bad after all.

by CNB