Officers team up against aggressive drivers near border

Officers from the Salisbury Township Police Department teamed up with the Allentown Police Department in a joint speed safety enforcement detail in the area of East Texas Boulevard and Flexer Avenue, near the township’s border with the City of Allentown, Aug. 10, netting 50 drivers who did not observe the speed limit along a corridor known for aggressive drivers.

“The roadway was chosen because it is shared by both police departments and is known for aggressive and unsafe driving,” Salisbury Police Department Senior Patrol Officer Bryan Losagio, Salisbury’s traffic safety officer, who coordinated the detail said.

“The detail was sponsored by an aggressive driving grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. July 6 was the official kickoff date for this wave which runs for the next several weeks,” Losagio said.

A total of 51 traffic stops took place, resulting in a total of 53 traffic citations being issued.

In addition to the 50 citations for speeding, one motorist was cited for not being buckled in and one vehicle was found to be unregistered.

Losagio said officers were approached by a number of homeowners who lived in the neighborhood who said they deal with excessive speeding in front of their homes on a daily basis. They said they were grateful and thanked participating officers for their efforts.

“Working with a neighboring police department on roadways that share a borderline has been very successful this year,” Losagio said. “It allows both departments extra manpower and resources.

The detail occurred 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and included officers over two shifts who participated on a work overtime basis through the state grant, taking no officers from their regularly scheduled patrol duties.

“We have a very good working relationship with the Allentown Police Department and will continue to team up together to make our roadways safer,” Losagio said.

“Several more traffic safety details are scheduled this month throughout our township. With school beginning in a few weeks we ask that all motorists use extra caution on our roadways, buckle up, and obey the speed limit.”