Police Conduct Traffic Stop on South Orange Avenue

A four-hour police detail worked in tandem with inspectors from the state Motor Vehicles Commission to inspect vehicles on South Orange Avenue on the morning and afternoon of Jan. 6.

Officers working under Sgt. Michael Corrigan of the Traffic Bureau set up traffic cones between Park Place and Fielding Court to establish a checkpoint for passing cars. They were looking for equipment violations -- anything from broken lights to overdue inspections -- and invalid documentation, according to Police Chief James Chelel.

Some tickets were written for violations. Safety inspection checkpoints are set up about once a month, and about 20 vehicles are inspected by the state Motor Vehicle Commission's mobile inspection unit on Park Place next to Grove Park. The unit is equipped to conduct full inspections, including emissions checks.

"You're allowed when you're pulled over to have the car inspected free of charge," said Chelel, who said that the quietness of Park Place made that block of South Orange Avenue a good location for the traffic stops.