Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 1, 1991 TAG: 9102010740
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
That is the question motorists traveling along Bowman Avenue in Salem were asking themselves Thursday night.
Perched behind the wheel of a patrol car was a mannequin fully dressed in a Salem police uniform, including the hat. A radar unit sat beside him in the front.
"It was really funny," said one resident, who slowed after spotting the cruiser. "It really made me watch my speed."
That's the theory behind the dummy, said Lt. Glenn Robinson, adding that police starting using it in late December.
"We're making an effort to slow down the speeders," he said. "If violators assume it is the dummy, the next thing they may see is red lights in their mirror."
Robinson admits citizens have differing concerns.
"Some worry he may be sick because he hasn't moved all day," Robinson said.
Some people have knocked on the window to ask the dummy for directions.
Other citizens are simply thankful for increased traffic control.
"We appreciate you having that officer sitting at the end of our street," Robinson quoting them as saying. "It slowed the traffic down today."
Robinson said the dummy is an efficient worker. "For what we pay him, we wouldn't have to get a whole lot of work out of him."
The dummy also works in a retired police car that has been stripped of equipment. Appropriately, he uses a dummy radar unit.
Still, the dummy, named Officer Gregory, has created problems for personnel.
"He doesn't work here," a dispatcher told Robinson when he asked for the dummy's starting date. "I think he works for the county."
by CNB