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COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) — Police in Idaho are trying to change speed traps by eliminating the "trap" part of the process.
The Coeur d'Alene Press reports (http://bit.ly/2akUCnk ) in a story on Monday that local police have started posting officers' locations on the department's Facebook page.
Coeur d'Alene Police Chief Lee White says officers aren't out to ticket drivers but to keep the public safe.
"I'm all about transparency and being open," said White. "Law enforcement isn't a game of 'gotcha' and we are not out to get the public, whether it be a speeding violation or another violation."
White said the idea came from a fellow police chief who said the program was effective in his department. White said the posts are an easy way to educate people about traffic safety law.
A recent post revealed that officers would be working traffic speed enforcement on 15th Street south of Interstate 90, noting that the posted speed limit in the area is 25 mph.
"Let's not mince words here — the primary purpose of our traffic enforcement program is to keep the public safe and reduce collisions in our city," White said. "That's it. It's not about generating revenue or anything like that."
He also said that anyone glancing at one of the posts might be inclined to think about safety and slowing down in other areas as well. The program has been going on since July 13.
"I've gotten some really positive feedback from people who are saying they appreciate our efforts and that we're being transparent about this," White said.
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Information from: Coeur d'Alene Press, http://www.cdapress.com
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