Moses Lake residents fund radar sign

MOSES LAKE - Residents concerned with speeding vehicles donated funds to Moses Lake to install a permanent radar reader board on Sage Road.

The reader board shows drivers what their speed is while they are driving near it and blinks if they speed.

Several residents living on Sage Road donated $4,082 to have the sign installed. An additional $1,000 grant obtained by the police department covers the remaining cost of the sign, Police Chief Dean Mitchell said.

The residents want the sign placed in the 3000 block of Sage Road to get the attention of drivers approaching the intersection with Sand Dunes Road, resident Kelli Lewis stated in a letter to the council.

Mitchell said the sign is the first one to be installed permanently in Moses Lake and is unique because the residents are paying for the majority of the cost.

Councilmember Dick Deane asked if all neighborhoods could install the signs. He said there are concerns about speeding vehicles on Sharon Avenue near Moses Lake High School.

Mitchell said anyone can purchase a radar sign.

He said the police department can conduct speed surveys on Sharon Avenue to see if there are a large amount of speeding vehicles in the area. If there are enough vehicles speeding, the city could be eligible for grant funds to cover the entire cost of the sign.

Mitchell said Sage Road did not qualify as a high speed zone because the majority of drivers within the speed limit while officers were conducting speed surveys.