- Introduction
Neighborhood Speed Watch is a program that partners the St. Joseph Police and Public Works & Transportation Departments with neighborhood residents who want to play an active role in solving their neighborhood speeding problems. The goal of this program is to raise public awareness about the negative impacts of speeding on neighborhood streets. Speed Watch is one tool in the Neighborhood Traffic Safety Program created to improve the safety and livability of neighborhood streets. - Guidelines and Procedures
The Speed Watch Program is a volunteer-based program available to any neighborhood group or residential street in the City of St. Joseph. Volunteers assist in gathering speed and traffic information on their own neighborhood streets. (Neighborhood streets are classified as either 1) residential or 2) two-lane collector. High-volume, multiple-lane streets, as well as streets with posted speed limits over 30 miles per hour, are excluded from the Speed Watch Program.)
The person who makes the request will serve as the contact person and organize other neighborhood volunteers to conduct the speed watch, after all appropriate documentation has been completed and provided to the appropriate City representative(s). A minimum of two volunteers is required at all times during the speed watch. One person is responsible for operating the radar unit and the other person records the required information on the Neighborhood Speed Study and Speeding Vehicle Report form.
Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older to participate. Volunteers under the age of 21 must be accompanied by an adult 21 years or older. This allows high school and college students to participate in the program.
All volunteers will be trained by a member of the St. Joseph Police Department Traffic Unit on the proper use of the radar equipment, the rules of conducting a speed watch, and how to complete the required forms. Training will also cover the rules of conduct and proper behavior in case conflicts arise. Only those volunteers who have completed the training will be allowed to conduct a speed watch. In case of a confrontation between a neighbor and volunteer, the study will immediately cease, and the Traffic Unit will be notified. The contact person will be responsible for checking out and returning the radar equipment and speed watch information.
Volunteers determine when they believe speeding in their neighborhood is at its worst, (for example, during rush hours, before and after school, etc.) and schedule their speed watch during these times. The program length can be up to 14 days.
Members of the St. Joseph Police Department Traffic Unit may direct where the speed watch should take place and may back-up the speed watch volunteers with traffic counters. Volunteers will conduct the speed watch from a legally parked vehicle. After the speed data has been gathered by volunteers, the license numbers of vehicles found exceeding the speed limit by ten or more miles per hour are then matched through the Department of Revenue database, and a list of registered owners and their addresses is compiled. A letter from the St. Joseph Police Department Traffic Unit is sent to the registered owners of all matched vehicles. The letter informs the owners that their vehicle was observed speeding on a neighborhood street, and asks that all drivers of the vehicle obey the posted speed limit in residential areas. Registered owners of vehicles found speeding are not fined, and no violation is cited on their driving record. - Rules of Conduct
- A minimum of two volunteers are required at all times during the speed watch.
- Speed watches are to be conducted only from a legally parked car.
- Speed watches may be conducted only during daylight hours.
- All traffic and pedestrian laws must be obeyed.
- There will be no parking allowed on any sidewalks or driveways; and no sidewalk or driveway may be blocked in any manner.
- Courtesy and reasonable care must be exercised at all times.
- Neighbors, pedestrians, and motorists may stop to ask what you are doing. Explain that you are participating in the Speed Watch program, and ask them to call the St. Joseph Police Department Traffic Unit if they have questions or objections to the program. If a confrontation arises, stop the study immediately and contact the Police Department. Do not argue, and remain calm.
- The public may incorrectly assume that you are a representative of the City or a law enforcement officer, or that your actions will result in them receiving a traffic citation. You must make it clear that you are volunteering as a private citizen and participant in the Neighborhood Speed Watch Program. Also make it clear that your actions will result only in a letter being mailed that encourages drivers to observe the posted speed limit.
- Do not make gestures or verbal comments toward passing vehicles. Do not throw objects at vehicles or drivers.
- Common sense must be exercised at all times.
- Vehicles may not be chased; nor shall any attempts be made to stop or apprehend the driver of any vehicle.
- Those who are not participants in the Program may not be present. Only those persons who have completed the training and executed all appropriate forms may participate in the speed watch. (A crowd of people will only draw attention to the speed watch and be counter- productive.)
- All data must be accurately collected and recorded.
