Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutIII (D) Approval and Authorization for Use of Forfeiture Funds to Purchase Mobile Traffic Monitor from Traffic Products, Inc. for not to exceed amount of $7,820 Agenda 7-06-99 Item III D Ocoee Police Department 175 N.Bluford Avenue•Ocoee, FL 34761 • (407)656-1518 • Fax(407) 656-0218 TO: The Honorable Mayor and Board of City Commissioners FROM: Robert E . Mark, Chief Of Police //.l DATE : June 29, 1999 SUBJECT: USE OF FORFEITURE FUNDS FOR MOBILE TRAFFIC MONITOR STAFF REPORT ISSUE Should the Honorable Mayor and Board of City Commissioners authorize the use of Forfeiture money, not to exceed S7,820, to purchase a Mobile Traffic Monitor device. BACKGROUND The City of Ocoee has experienced rapid growth over the past few years. Construction sites will be a permanent fixture in the city for years to come; daily traffic throughout the city has increased considerably since 1995. The department has been experiencing a large number of traffic complaints from concerned citizens. Each of these complaints require a traffic officer to work the area for hours at a time, The traffic unit is tasked with not only answering these complaints, but working vehicle crashes, road obstructions, parking complaints and traffic law enforcement in general. At the present time the resources for handling these complaints arc spread thin in addition to handling their regular calls for service. DISCUSSION The department needs an alternative method of handling traffic complaints such as speeders. A Mobile Traffic Monitoring devise would allow the department to promote speed compliance when a traffic officer is not available. A motorist would see their speed displayed on a large screen, making them aware that their speed is being monitored. This would result in lower speeds and safer traffic flow while a traffic officer is being used for other traffic tasks. A Mobile Traffic Monitor unit is a good tool to use for public relations. When the Traffic Unit receives a complaint and they place the Mobile'Iraffic Monitor unit in the location of the complaint it tells the citizens that the department is aware of the speeding problem and is doing something about it. The department is currently utilizing a Mobile Traffic Monitor unit,model#SMTM-2012 and heavy duty trailer with retractable tongue provided by Traffic Products, Inc. as a demonstration model; this unit has been utilized by our department since March of this year. This product has produced numerous requests from different subdivisions throughout the city to have it placed within their subdivision. This model is solar powered, 20" LED lamp matrix display(yellow), seen up to 1100 feet, 4 deep cycle batteries (18 days with no sun) charge controller. Included in this package is a Peek ADR-I000 Automatic Data Recorder which is an automatic vehicular traffic counter/classifier. It saves data such as vehicle speeds, type of vehicles (cars b. i>;,, ,,,..,or small trucks), and total traffic traveled on the road. (�) " , OlL Staff Report June 29, 1999 Page 2 This model currently being utilized by the department has proven to exceed our expectation. Traffic Products, Inc. has agreed to let our department purchase the demo model currently being used for a reduced price of$7,820. RECOMMENDATION It is respectfully recommended that the Honorable Mayor and Board of City Commissioners approve the use of the forfeiture monies not to exceed $7,820 to purchase Mobile Traffic Monitor device unit from Traffic Products, Inc.