Hit-and-Run Knocks Out Portable Police Speed Radar

The Glasgow Police Department is seeking the driver responsible for crashing into a portable police speed radar set up at the crosswalk at Scottie Pride Drive and Cloud Street.

According to police reports, the incident was reported at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday. A resident living nearby called dispatch at that time to report the speed indicator was broken and scattered all over the road. The reporting party was not able to provide a description of the driver, but said they were operating a late model white pickup truck.

"It was pretty dark out," GPD Chief Robert Weber told The Courier. "Officers are currently looking for camera footage on the street."

The driver fled from the scene before officers arrived.

Weber said front end damage to the truck is likely, as the steel sign weighs more than 100 pounds and requires two officers to lift.

The portable sign "is completely destroyed," Weber said, noting it was just delivered a few months back to GPD, and went into operation the first week of October.

The sign is worth about $2,500, Weber said.

"It is pretty disheartening. I understand accidents happen, but when an accident happens and you drive away and don't take responsibility for it, that is where the issue comes about because it is potentially a lot of money that the city is going to be out. It was a pretty big deal as far as safety goes and data collection."

The portable speed indicator was placed at locations where residents had complained about speeding drivers.

"If we get a complaint, it provides the data as to how fast cars are actually going and how much traffic is in the area at the time," Weber said. "I was able to dump the data off of it the day before it got hit."

It is possible data is currently stored on the device concerning the driver who hit it, but that is not accessible at present because the wires were cut.

Weber encourages anyone with any information about the incident to contact GPD at 406-228-8050.