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Police Officers' Seat Belt Effort Clicks

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By GEORGE WILKENS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 1, 2008

PLANT CITY - Superior performance in a seat belt enforcement campaign has earned the Plant City Police Department additional firepower - in the form of speed guns to target lead-footed motorists.

Four laser devices to measure speed have been awarded to the department for its performance in the Click It or Ticket safety program during May.

"These devices will greatly enhance the police department's ability to enforce posted speed limits throughout the city," City Manager David Sollenberger wrote in his report to city commissioners, announcing the department being awarded the pricey gizmos.

"Best of all, these devices were acquired at no cost to our taxpayers," Sollenberger wrote about the laser guns worth $1,800 each.

The local department has participated in the annual seat belt campaign since the 2001 inception, and its officers are "consistently recognized for their positive performance," Sollenberger noted.

During the two-week campaign, officers nationwide show no tolerance for motorists nabbed in a moving violation and not wearing seat belt restraints. In Hillsborough County, a ticket for not using a seat belt costs $76.50.

"Kudos are in order," said Assistant City Manager Greg Horwedel, reporting the windfall at the Sept. 22 meeting held while Sollenberger was receiving an award at an out-of-state conference.

Officially, the device is the UltraLyte TruSpeed Laser. Boiling it down to basics, Horwedel told commissioners: "In other words, that's what they use to give everybody a ticket."

The safety program is funded by the Florida Department of Transportation and administered by Tallahassee Community College, Horwedel said.

Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 865-4433 or gwilkens@tampatrib.com

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