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Police Crack Down on Speeding in Jim Thorpe

JIM THORPE — Within the past few days, police in Jim Thorpe have issued nearly 20 speeding tickets. The targeted section is the new Route 903 Bridge and N...
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JIM THORPE -- Within the past few days, police in Jim Thorpe have issued nearly 20 speeding tickets.

The targeted section is the new Route 903 Bridge and North Street.

"People have been, I can't believe how fast they are going actually because there's turning and there has already been an accident," said Jackie Zito of Jim Thorpe.

"It's like how do I say this? A free racetrack. It's a straight thoroughfare and that's what causes the speed to just go," said Jean Hurley of Jim Thorpe.

The route drivers used to take using the old Route 903 Bridge had a slight curve in the road that forced them to slow down, but a new bridge opened about seven weeks ago.  It gives drivers a straight shot, and many of them are speeding up and going faster than the 25 mph speed limit.

"In the past four days, we have written 18 speeding citations and we had about 32 contacts with vehicles that we had.  So we are out, the officers are out," said Chief Joe Schatz, Jim Thorpe Police Department.

The sound of a car speeding by has become regular for people who live on this stretch in Jim Thorpe. Some people tell us they can't even cross the street.

"I went to go to dinner and cross the crosswalk and it was nearly impossible. You know, cars were coming fast and I was afraid to cross," said Zito.

Others are glad police are cracking down.  Especially since this stretch of Route 903, also known as North Street, goes through a residential neighborhood.

"Within our house, we can see the red, white, and blue lights flashing all the time now. Especially since last Wednesday, they have really cracked down," said Hurley.

Jim Thorpe police plan to continue to patrol this area and others throughout the borough. They warn drivers if you speed, you will get a ticket.

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