CLEARFIELD – Clearfield Borough Police are already going to task when it comes to crime in the area, but through refocusing resources, the department is looking to crack down on another big problem: aggressive driving.
A speed display sign went into place on Clearfield Borough’s Woodland Road Wednesday, alerting drivers to the 35 mph limit for the roadway. As motorists pass by, they will be able to read what their speed is and adjust their driving accordingly.
Clearfield Borough Police and Barry Reddinger, Fourth Ward borough councilman, alerted the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to the need for the sign. And, with this weekend’s Thrills in the Hills event, the added precaution should help to keep speeds down on the road.
Clearfield Borough Police Chief Jeff Rhone said in his 23 years as an officer, there have always been complaints about speeding on Woodland Road. With children playing in nearby Kurtz Park, he said the traffic is definitely an issue.
“This year’s going to be a little bit different,” Rhone said. He and Assistant Chief Joe Zelenky will work to reassign police officers to ensure that aggressive drivers, those who speed and those who drive recklessly or carelessly, are apprehended.
“Speed is going to be a priority,” Rhone said. “It’s time that we dedicate some officers and address it.”
Rhone and the officers within the department will do that in two ways. First, police officers will listen to complaints; second, the officers will become aggressive in their enforcement efforts.
“It’s time we that we step forward and address the issues we’re supposed to.”
Michael Baglio, district traffic engineer for PennDOT’s District 2-0, was also on hand to announce the sign placement. He said that PennDOT and the local police departments must work together to ensure that efforts such as the sign work. “It’s got to be a partnership.”
Rhone noted that the sign went into place at the right time with the Thrills in the Hills event this weekend, meaning more traffic in and around the Clearfield area. Baglio said, “A wrong decision could be fatal depending upon the speed.”
The speed display sign will be in place for about one week. Baglio said speeds begin to slowly creep back up after a sign has been removed, but through patrolling the area, those who disobey the sign can be apprehended.