Radar gun citizen patrol draws mixed reviews
December 9, 2008
Cheryl Coupens found out firsthand the city does not have as many lead-footed motorists as she thought.
Last month, she participated in a demonstration of the city’s Speed Watch program that trains residents to operate radar guns to detect speeding drivers in their neighborhood.
“I clocked two out of 30 cars exceeding the speed limit,” said Coupens, who was monitoring traffic in the Highlands.
Radar rangers
To participate in the Speed Watch program, e-mail the Newcastle Police Department at police@ci.newcastle.wa.us or call 649-4444, ext. 120, to schedule a time to use a radar gun, which may be used for up to three days.
One of the most frequent requests to police and the city’s Public Works Department is the need to address speeding along residential streets, said Newcastle Police Chief Melinda Irvine. Residents come to find that the culprits are usually their own neighbors, if they’re speeding at all, Irvine said.
The initial training takes 15 minutes. Two people are needed for a speed watch, one to clock speeds, read license plate numbers and describe vehicles, while the other person fills out forms.
Police locate the registered owner of the vehicle and send him or her a warning letter. Typically, letters are sent to those driving at least 5 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, Irvine said.
Coupens said she doesn’t plan to participate in the program again anytime soon.
“In hindsight, I don’t think it’s such a good idea,” she said. “It’s scary. It’s pitting neighbor against neighbor.”
The program has its critics. City Councilwoman Carol Simpson said the council did not vet the program.
“I felt it should have been a policy established by council before it was implemented,” she said.
But Irvine said the Speed Watch program allows people in the community to partner with police on the speeding issue. The program makes drivers aware of a neighborhood’s concern about speeding.
“This gives us the opportunity to cover more area,”’ she said.
Top citizens honored at annual Diamond Awards
December 9, 2008
Diamond Award recipients are (back row, from left) Peggy Price, Jackie Maples, Damu Maples, Dave Franklin, Lynn Bissett; and (front row, from left) Paul Williams, John Jensen, Bill Burris, Jana Dalpez, Milt Swanson. By Jim Feehan
A pioneer, a tireless advocate for the Boy Scouts and a high school student who volunteers at a soup kitchen in Seattle were among the Diamond Award recipients announced Nov. 12.
Milt Swanson, born in Newcastle Read more
City Councilwoman and chamber president named to board
December 9, 2008
City Councilwoman Carol Simpson and Linda Stemler, president of the
Rainier Moving Systems receives honor
December 9, 2008
Rainier Moving Systems Inc., of Newcastle, an agent of the nationwide household goods
Coal Creek mine hike scheduled for Saturday
November 20, 2008
NEW — 1:46 p.m. November 20, 2008
Issaquah History Museums docent, researcher and tour leader Stephen Grate will lead a Coal Creek history program and hike at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22.
City updates its snowplow map
November 20, 2008
Newcastle officials have updated the city’s snowplow map, which shows priority routes that will be plowed during a snow or ice storm. Click on the map to enlarge:
Top citizens honored at Diamond Awards
November 12, 2008
NEW — 1:47 p.m. November 12, 2008
A pioneer, a tireless advocate for the Boy Scouts and a high school student who volunteers at a soup kitchen in Seattle were among the Diamond Award recipients announced today. Read more
Come and get your radar gun
November 7, 2008
City residents can learn about the police department’s new citizen-use radar gun program at a demonstration at 10 a.m. Monday. Read more
41st District election results
November 7, 2008
NEW — 11:21 a.m. November 5, 2008
Here are election results for the 41st District: Read more
Officer honored with award
November 4, 2008
Jerry Gilley intervened in domestic violence incident
Jerry ‘Jay’ Gilley (right), Newcastle police officer, looks at his Norm Maleng Outstanding Law Enforcement Award with Newcastle police chief Melinda Irvine (middle) and police chaplain Pat Tosch Oct. 3 after the Seattle City Hall Plaza ceremony. Photo by Greg Farrar.
A simple clerical error, a misspelled name, caused a Newcastle woman to Read more
