New Radar Program Allows Town Residents to Track Drivers' Speed

In Thurmont youll notice more radar devices, only theyll be in the hands of residents not necessarily the police. Its part of a new program called Community Assisted Radar Enforcement, also known as CARE. "What theyre doing is helping keep their neighborhood safe, collecting data for us so that we can understand what the speeds are through the throughways of Thurmont, so we can do more saturated patrols in the areas that we need to," said Chris McLaughlin, from Thurmont Police Department. Volunteers will not be able to write speeding tickets, but they will send the drivers license plate number back to police who will then send violators a warning. Police said they are inundated with traffic complaints and this is one way to resolve the problem. Some drivers had reservations about the program, but others are all for it. "This is the first Ive heard of it, but I think if it would raise awareness of the speeds that people are going, its a good idea," said Diane Doughty, a Thurmont resident. "There are a lot of kids, little kids, out who can dart right out in the street, and out where we live. We live by the stables. We have two sharp turns and they come flying around there," said Robin Harne, another Thurmont resident. The next time youre thinking of putting the pedal to the metal, you might want to reconsider. "The public that come into Thurmont beware. Obey the speed limit, obey the stop signs, because if not, the police may not be there, but somebody from the CARE program will," said McLaughlin. Thurmont police said they should be able to tell within a few months whether the program is working. Reported by Angela Bohon" New Cell Phone Ban Proposed in Pennsylvania,1150754803,1150754803,NBC25 NEWS- Pennsylvania residents could be the next in line for hands free cell phone devices.,"One lawmaker in Pennsylvania thinks it is time for Pennsylvania to roll with the times along road ways and ban cell phones. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation close to 1200 crashes occurred because of cell phones in the state in 2004. The ban would apply to all public roads in Pennsylvania. "Its time for Pennsylvania to step up and make our roadways safer and that is what I intend to do with this legislation, said Rep. Josh Shapiro, (D) Montgomery County. Representative Shapiros legislation would force drivers to use headsets or hands-free cell phones. Violators could be fined $250. "Im not telling them not to use their phones, but if they can use it in a safer way and if we can save just a few lives I think its worth the effort," said Shapiro. Folks in Chambersburg are torn about the proposed law. "I think that would be great, it would be safer. It would be safer on the roads for everybody, except for emergencies," said Mary Rumfola, a concerned driver. "Some people need to use their cell phone while their driving," said Storm Reasner, whos against the ban. "Especially doctors and stuff, if they got an emergency call what are they going to do," said Norma Inks, whos also against the ban. Theres a lot of people that do use cell phones that do cause accidents because they arent watching what they are doing. They arent paying attention," said Vonnie Foltz, whos for the ban. The only other exceptions to this law would be for police officers or on duty first responders. If someone needed help and was calling 9-1-1, they would also be exempt. Reported by Gretchen Gailey" Residents Fondly Remember Berkeley Plaza Businesses Gone Up in Weekend Fire,1150754873,1150754873,"BERKELEY COUNTY, WV- The Berkeley Plaza Movie Theatre has been in Martinsburg for more than 40 years and now after a fire, the owner is left picking up the pieces and re-building from scratch.