Cottage Grove police to get speed trailer for use on local roads

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Drivers in Cottage Grove soon could see their speed clocked on a roadside trailer.

The Cottage Grove Police Department is buying a digital display speed trailer, following the City Council’s approval of the nearly $20,000 purchase March 6. The Cottage Grove Crime Prevention Board is contributing $6,000 toward the trailer’s cost. The remaining portion of the purchase is covered by funds the department otherwise would have used toward a new squad car. The squad buy was delayed due to lower squad mileage.

Council members said citizens who are worried about speeding vehicles on local streets want the department to use the trailer, which will display passing car speeds in real time and log vehicle counts. The trailer is meant to serve as a speed deterrent.

The council approved the purchase on a 4-1 vote. Council member Derrick Lehrke voted against it because he said the trailer purchase should be considered on its own and not because the department is delaying a squad purchase.

Tags: crime and courts, cottage grove, updates, crime