MILAN, N.M. – Police Chief Carl Ustupski is on a mission to upgrade traffic safety in Milan using new speed-monitoring technology. The police department has recently introduced speed-tracking devices aimed at reducing reckless driving, especially near schools.
“We’ve received numerous complaints about speeding on Highway 122 during school drop-off times,” Chief Ustupski said. “With limited officers available, we needed a way to boost enforcement without being present all the time.”
These new devices look like regular speed limit signs but do much more. They display a driver’s speed and take photos of vehicles that exceed the limit. This data helps officers identify repeat offenders and strategically allocate their resources.
“If we notice a trend, like multiple drivers speeding regularly, we can concentrate our efforts during those peak times,” Ustupski explained. “This approach lets us place officers where they’re most needed.”
The initiative aims to educate and prevent accidents rather than simply punish offenders. Ustupski stated, “Our goal is to slow down traffic and avoid accidents. If someone often appears in the reports, we may have to take action, but education is our first priority.”
The police department previously installed Flock cameras to assist in locating stolen vehicles, which have helped with crime prevention. Ustupski acknowledged that some residents had privacy concerns, but he reassured them that the new speed monitors operate in a similar way.
“We’re tracking speeding vehicles, not individual drivers,” he clarified. “There’s no racial profiling or constant observation—we’re just looking to make the roads safer.”
A Data-Driven Investment
Currently, Milan has one speed-monitoring device in use and plans to add more based on complaints and data analysis. These devices are solar-powered, making maintenance easy.
“It’s a one-time investment for us,” Ustupski said. “We mainly have ongoing data storage costs, which are quite low.”
This program aligns with a larger effort to modernize the police department, focusing on technology to enhance public safety. Ustupski mentioned initial hesitance when Flock cameras were introduced, but they proved useful in solving crimes and preventing issues.
The primary focus of the speed monitors will be on school zones and busy areas like Route 66. However, the department welcomes feedback from residents about other locations with speeding concerns.
“We want people to voice their concerns about speeding on their streets,” Ustupski said. “We can move devices around to gather data and assess the situation.”
Ustupski believes this technology will significantly improve safety. “Instead of guessing if speeding is a problem, we’ll have concrete numbers,” he noted.
The chief also highlighted other new traffic enforcement technologies, including tools to detect erratic driving that may indicate drunk driving.
“Technology is progressing rapidly,” Ustupski said. “Ultimately, our goal is to keep people safe, not to monitor them.”
With speed monitors already operational, the department anticipates a positive change in driver behavior.
“We’re not here to create obstacles for anyone,” Ustupski said. “We just want to ensure that reckless driving doesn’t lead to injury. We hope that when drivers see the flashing signs, they’ll reconsider speeding.”
For now, the department will continue to analyze the results and adapt its strategies as necessary.
“If the data indicates that some areas remain high-risk, we’ll increase our enforcement efforts. But if the data shows improvement, then the technology is working as intended,” Ustupski concluded.
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