Despite votes by Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners and elected officials of other municipalities to support Pennsylvania legislation allowing local police to use radar guns, state Senate and House bills appear to be going nowhere fast.

"The word is getting around that this is an important item and get it out of committee," Salisbury Township Manager Randy Soriano said at the July 10 township meeting.

Soriano said six state legislators from the Lehigh Valley have not signed on to legislation allowing local police departments to use radar guns to enforce speed limits.

Soriano said he spoke with State Rep. Justin Simmons, R-131st, whose district includes Salisbury, about the legislation.

"Some people think the municipality will make a lot of money," Commissioner Vice President Debra Brinton said.

Conventional wisdom among Harrisburg lawmakers is use of radar guns by local police officers would increase the use of "speed traps" as a way of increasing revenue from fines.

"We certainly don't get much money from our traffic citations," Salisbury Township Chief of Police Allen W. Stiles said.

"We don't do it for the money. We do it for safety," Stiles said.

"The problem is everybody comes to us to complain about speeding in their neighborhood. And then they don't give us the tools," Stiles said.

"I doubt it will come out of committee," Stiles said of the bills allowing local police to use radar guns.

"Call your state reps," Commissioner President James A. Brown said.

"I appreciate the support of the [township] commissioners and manager," Stiles added.

By a unanimous vote at the June 12 meeting, Salisbury commissioners approved a resolution in support of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Senate Bill 1340 and House Bill 1272, enabling local police forces to use radar.

The language of the resolution states the Senate and House bills would enable "municipal police to use the same motor vehicle speed-timing equipment as the Pennsylvania State Police."

Pennsylvania is the only state in the United States to prohibit local police from using radar guns.

In other business at the July 10 meeting, Stiles noted the Lehigh County Citizens Police Academy eight-week course will be held 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at Lehigh Carbon Technical Institute, 4500 Education Park Drive, Schnecksville. Sessions start Sept. 9

Topics to be covered include: fingerprinting, vehicle and crimes code, DUI and traffic enforcement, district attorney's office, crime scene processing, communications, firearms safety, tours of specialized locations, arrest procedures, specialized task forces and units, court procedures and emergency vehicle operations.

For information and an application contact the Catasauqua Police Department through information@catapd.org or call 610-264-0577.