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The Troy Police Department received a grant from Walmart on Mondayto help the department purchase a portable radar sign.

“This grant will enable us to use a device to track speed in areas where we believe we have problems, and it will keep up with that speed without us having to deploy manpower until it’s absolutely necessary,” said Mayor Jason Reeves..

This grant provided by Walmart will not only help pay for the cost of the device, but it will also help save on the cost of manpower.

Chief Randall Barr explained that the current sign the police department uses is on a trailer and requires the use of a truck to pull it around. It also takes two people and about 30 to 45 minutes to set up.

The new sign will be 17 by 24 inches, and will only take about five minutes for one person to set up.

While the current sign only gives a visual display, the new sign will give real-time data with about 35 different reports. “It’ll give the high speed, the low speed, the median speed, the time of day the traffic comes through, and more,” Barr said. 

This portable device is designed to be put on top of the existing speed limit signs, and the police department has already mounted about 50 speed limit signs, which will make it easy to attach the device when it’s needed.

“We get complaints about speed all the time in the neighborhoods. When we send somebody over there, it won’t be long before everyone knows we’re there because of social media, so this device will help us deploy our manpower more efficiently,” Barr said.

This device will help the police department know when and where to deploy an officer in the most efficient and effective way for the community.

“We’re very grateful for Walmart for this grant, for what they do for our community every day, and for the services they provide especially through this difficult time,” Reeves said.

Chief Barr and the Troy Police Department are also very grateful for this grant provided by Walmart. “It’s a great opportunity to work with them and with the community to make our city safer,” Barr said.