Novi Police Department Deploys New Speed Monitoring Devices

What’s one of the most common complaints made to the ? Speeding drivers on neighborhood streets.

In an effort to reduce speeding, the Police Department has ditched its outdated speed-measurement trailers and upgraded to two “Shield 12” speed-monitoring devices, which can be attached to a police patrol car parked on the side of the road or to a traffic sign.

Like the trailers, the devices are designed to promote speed awareness by using radar to determine the speed of vehicles that travel by the unit. The speed is displayed on the front of the device, and the number blinks when vehicles pass.

The devices also provide police with information on speed counts and the number of vehicles that travel through a certain area.

“We’re going to be able to use those [devices] not only as a deterrent to slow people down, but also as a way of using that information with our Department of Public Services and our traffic engineering section to help them with some of their work,” said Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety David Molloy.

The devices are moved around frequently and can be found on busy streets as well as in residential areas. Residents can request a speed-monitoring device in a specific area by filling out a form online.

The Police Department purchased the two devices for $5,800 each in its 2011-2012 fiscal year budget using money from federal drug forfeiture funds—money the city receives from the federal government to finance programs that directly or indirectly enhance drug-related enforcement.

Molloy said he expects the Police Department to purchase more of the devices in the future.