Traffic Safety Unit

Speed Watch

In the spring of 2003, the Traffic Safety Unit began a new program entitled Speed Watch.  The program allows residents of Shawnee to partner with the Shawnee Police Department in an effort to reduce speeding and accidents in our neighborhoods.  While the program is a new one to the Kansas City metropolitan area, several cities across the United States already use a similar program.  In fact, Shawnee has modeled their program off of one offered by the Denver, Colorado Police Department.

The program works as follows:

Shawnee residents will work in teams of two and prior to starting they will undergo a one hour orientation. They will keep the radar for up to 14 days and only record vehicles which are traveling a minimum of 10 mph over the posted speed limit. They will then return the completed log sheet to the Traffic Unit.  The owners of vehicles whose license tags which are positively identified will be mailed a letter explaining the program and the fact their vehicle was recorded speeding in the neighborhood. No citations will be issued, it will simply be a reminder to slow down.

There are several requirements to participate in the program:

• Volunteers must be residents of the City of Shawnee
• They will work during the daylight hours only.
• They must select a safe place to setup and log violators.
• Volunteers will be issued a radar unit, tuning forks and a Speed Watch log sheet.
• The minimum speed, which will be recorded, must be at least ten (10) miles per hour over the posted speed limit on that street.
• At the end of the 14 day period, the equipment and collected data will be returned to the Traffic Safety sergeant for follow up.
• At no time will a volunteer contact any violator.
• If the volunteers are approached by a violator, they may explain the program and furnish the Traffic Safety sergeant's contact number to answer any questions. 
• If the violator becomes angry or irate, the police will be called immediately.

If you are interested in participating in the Speed Watch program, contact Sgt. Andrews at (913) 742-6891.

Shawnee Police Department, 5850 Renner Road, Shawnee, KS 66217
Non-Emergency (913) 631-2155 Fax (913) 631-6389 E-Mail

Emergency 9-1-1