The Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners plans to support legislation in the Commonwealth to allow municipal police departments to use handheld speed enforcement radar.

Pennsylvania is believed to be the only state in the United States that prohibits the use of handheld speed timing radar by local police departments.

Pennsylvania State Police use handheld radar.

The radar monitors vehicles in speed zone posted areas of highways and streets.

Salisbury Township Police Chief Don Sabo, in his report to commissioners at the April 27 township meeting, said the system Salisbury police officers use to monitor vehicle speeds is no longer being manufactured and replacement parts will be unavailable.

The system is Electronic Non-Radar Device (ENRADD), a wireless infrared device that records and transmits the speed of a motor vehicle to an ENRADD monitor in a police car.

State Sen. Nick Miller, D-14th, who represents Salisbury Township, is a sponsor of Pennsylvania State Legislature Senate Bill 459, which would allow municipal police officers to use radar for speed enforcement in municipalities. The bill would amend Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.

A township, borough or city would need to approve an ordinance before the radar could be used.

Sabo said he met with Miller in support of Senate Bill 459.

During discussion, it was agreed by consensus of the commissioners the township would send a letter to Miller in support of his efforts.

“I will draft a letter on behalf of the commissioners,” Salisbury Township Manager Cathy Bonaskiewich said.

Senate Bill 459 is supported by the Pennsylvania Municipal League, Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, Fraternal Order of Police Pennsylvania State Lodge, Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, Pennsylvania Association of Township Commissioners, Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors and Pennsylvania State Mayors’ Association.

The state Senate Transportation Committee approved use of handheld radar March 2. The bill would need to be considered by the Senate. A similar bill was passed during the last Senate session and was sent to the House Transportation Committee, where it wasn’t acted on.

Sabo said also discussed with Miller was Title 75 ATV Dirt Bike Changes, which Miller is co-sponsoring and plans to introduce. The measure would expand Act 92 of 2022, which prevents the operation of dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles on roadways in urban municipalities.

Miller, in support of his bill to curb ATVs on public streets, recounted two incidents:

“Recently, 40 or more motorbikes and ATVs were racing along Interstate 78 in Upper Macungie Township and onto Route 100. The drivers of these vehicles swerved in and out traffic, performed wheelies and steadfastly ignored the lights and sirens of pursuing state troopers.

“Additionally, in July 2022, an unmarked car from the attorney general’s office, on its way to a hospital with an Allentown police detective who had suffered a serious arm injury, ended up behind a group of dirt bikes and ATVs on Tilghman Street in South Whitehall Township. The unmarked car had its lights and sirens on but the swarm of riders wouldn’t make way. One ATV driver popped wheelies and swerved left and right every time the driver tried to pass.

“These dangerous actions put not only our law enforcement officers at risk but also pedestrians and the motoring public,” Miller stated.

Miller’s co-sponsored bill would amend Title 75 to add ATVs and dirt bikes to Section 3733, regarding fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer.

It also adds ATVs and dirt bikes to section 3746, regarding reckless driving, applicable only in urban municipalities.

The only new business on the agenda of the April 27 township meeting was a motion, made by Commissioner Heather Lipkin and seconded by Commissioner Alok Patnaik, to renew the Franko Farm house lease with Valentine Durner, the widow of Charles J. Durner, a former Salisbury police chief who died in 2017. The couple lived for many years in the house.

The Salisbury Township municipal meeting schedule for May includes:

•7 p.m. May 10, Salisbury Township Zoning Hearing Board, in the meeting room of the municipal building, 2900 S. Pike Ave.;

•7 p.m. May 11, Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners in the municipal building;

•7 p.m. May 24, Salisbury Township Planning Commission in the municipal building and

•7 p.m. May 25, Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners.