MPD receives grant for unmarked, LIDAR-equipped vehicle

According the National Highway Traffic Administration, 11,700 speed involved crashes resulted in a fatality in Pinal County in 2009. The old adage “speed kills” remains true. Drivers who do not obey the laws are a hazard for all of us who drive on the state and local highways. Speed may not always be the primary cause of the crash, but it almost always determines the outcome.

With this in mind, the Maricopa Police Department is pleased to announce the award of a grant from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in the amount of $55,225. The grant is for outlay for one fully equipped police vehicle with an in-car video camera and radar, along with an additional outlay for five handheld Light Detection and Ranging devices or LIDAR.LIDAR equipment is used much like the older Doppler radar guns but uses light waves to measure speed instead of radar waves.

It is the goal of the Maricopa Police Department to reduce speeding in the city of Maricopa and make it a safer place in which to travel. The main focus of the unmarked speed enforcement police vehicle will be on speeding vehicles, aggressive driving and special enforcement in problem areas. The new handheld LIDAR speed enforcement equipment will augment the traffic unit and patrol division to assist in this effort.

The Maricopa Police Department is dedicated maintaining the city of Maricopa as a safe place to live, work and play.

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