At Coplay Borough Council’s workshop session April 5, Police Chief Vincent Genovese introduced council to RADAR, a technology enhancement designed to slow down traffic.

“This is not one of those ticket cameras. We don’t set up speed traps in the borough,” he said.

What was introduced is a computer-aided display that is proven to reduce speeding, according to its manufacturer.

“It is sort of a poor man’s version of the speed trailers,” said Genovese.

Speed trailers are often set alongside roads and display speed as you pass. They cost more than $10,000; the borough’s device is $2,500.

“We have many complaints of speeding on the borough’s roads, and this might be a way to get people to slow down,” said Councilman Charles Sodl.

The device works by flashing green when the approaching car is within the speed limit tolerances.

“Our speed limit in the borough is 25 mph, so at or near that speed, the display would show green,” said Sodl.

At around 28 mph, the display would flash yellow. Travel above 30 mph, and the sign would flash red.

According to Genovese, the display is 36 inches by 32 inches and can be moved to different locations. Most importantly, RADAR keeps a record of the number of cars that went by and their speed.

“The data we get will be the most important part,” said Sodl.

Genovese reiterated that tickets are not issued based on the computer.

“We have some problem areas. Drivers coming into town on Chestnut (Street) from Hokendauqua have a 45 mph speed limit and then need to get to 25 (mph) in Coplay. The cars don’t use their brakes; they just slow down. Something like this display might get them to slow down sooner,” he said.

Genovese did say that police will monitor traffic around the new devices.

“We would issue tickets for speeding just like we would today. We would measure speed as we do now,” he said.

Sodl suggested the borough use funds dedicated in the budget for police technology apparatus.

Council will vote on allocating funds to the RADAR project at its regular meeting Tuesday.