Bloomington PD is responding to increased complaints about speeding, especially along Veterans Parkway (WJBC file photo)

By Zach Dietmeier

BLOOMINGTON - Bloomington Police say they are cracking down on speeding, especially on Veterans Parkway.

According to BPD spokesman Dave White, new Stalker LIDAR (Light Imaging Detection and Ranging) technology is more accurate than traditional radar.

"We've had ours for almost a year and just never utilized it as a part of a speeding enforcement detail," said White. "Often, we'd have three guys go out with it and hit a trouble spot where somebody's been complaining."

White said the LIDAR makes determining exact speeds easier.

"It's different than regular radar where the waves went out and would bounce back but you could pick up other vehicles other than the target," said White. "You had to really focus the gun and wait until they were a little closer before you could tell which vehicle was sending you the right signal. This system allows you to get an accurate reading if you hit any part of the target."

Patrol details are increasing along Veterans. The most recent was Wednesday and netted 85 speeding citations within three hours.

White said speed details will continue as long as violation rates remain high. He also added that Veterans is an important stretch to enforce because that's where the most accidents occur at intersections in town.

"We're not out to write tickets and make any money off this, because we really don't make hardly anything," said White. "The whole idea is to try to get people to slow down because at every stop light intersection the entire length of Veterans Parkway are the highest crash locations in the city."

The fastest speed encountered was 79 mph. Most of the violators were traveling in excess of 60 mph. Many additional violators were not engaged because all officers involved were occupied with stops.

Zach can be reached at Zach.Dietmeier@cumulus.com.