As the community of South Fayette grows, traffic volume inevitably increases, resulting in more emergency and service calls.
Citizen complaints regarding speeding and aggressive driving have increased substantially over the past year. As hard as we try, police officers cannot be everywhere all the time to monitor these traffic issues, so we try to prioritize.
One way we prioritize complaint areas is by using the electronic speed signs that you have seen throughout the township. The equipment gathers data about vehicle speeds and the volume of traffic per hour, and then we use a formula to find the speed-limit compliance rate for that particular area. Based on the compliance rate, we prioritize the areas that have the lowest compliance rate—in other words, officers focus on monitoring the areas with the most frequent or severe problems.
To further address traffic needs, I am planning to dedicate one or two police officers to dealing with traffic in our problem areas. They will handle traffic complaints and associated enforcement issues seven days a week. This will allow our department to address traffic complaints more efficiently and thoroughly, providing better service and protection to our residents and visitors.
In communities such as South Fayette Township, which has been voted multiple times as one of the safest communities in Pennsylvania, traffic issues can become the main focus for residents. Our job as officers is to make sure we provide the best possible service and protection in all areas, traffic-related and otherwise. Our officers respond to everything—domestic disputes, arrests, accidents and many other types of calls—24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
As always, every decision I make as the chief of police is made with the intention of providing the best possible service to the South Fayette community.
Professionally,
John R. Phoennik
Chief of Police
South Fayette Township