Traffic Complaints Lead FCSO To Purchase More Radar Units

Bunnell, FL – Since the beginning of the year, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) deputies have written almost 700 speeding citations. With the purchase of 47 new radar units, Sheriff Rick Staly says when installed, every patrol car will have one. The new units cost about $70,000. The Community Policing Division will use the Raptor RP-1 with DuraTrak technology and the Traffic Unit will be using the Eagle 3, both radar units are manufactured by Kustom Signals Incorporated. Deputies assigned the new units are required by Florida law to complete a 40-hour radar operator’s class at Daytona State College’s law enforcement academy. In 2020, FCSO deputies wrote 1,562 citations for speeding and responded to 27 traffic fatalities. So far in 2021, the FCSO has written 682 citations for speeding and responded to five traffic fatalities. The new radar units increase the tools for deputies to deter drunk driving, speeding, reckless driving, distracted driving, and hopefully prevent accidents. “One of our biggest quality of life issues in our neighborhoods are traffic complaints and now every patrol car will soon have a radar unit to make an impact on these complaints,” Sheriff Staly said. “We are doing our part to cut speeding on our roadways but there are more speeders and aggressive drivers than we have deputies so I ask our drivers to change their driving behavior too. This effort is not about writing more tickets, it’s about changing behavior and positively impacting our quality of life, especially in our neighborhoods, and now the deputies have the tools to do that.” FCSO wants to hear from you if you have a traffic concern. You can find the "Report A Traffic Concern" form at flaglersheriff.com.