Five new traffic officers approved during city council meeting
WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – Five new traffic unit officers were approved at Thursday’s Winter Garden city council meeting.
Police Chief Steve Graham said the move will help combat the uptick of traffic issues, which includes things like street racing and aggressive driving in neighborhoods.
“As we come out of COVID, drivers have become more aggressive, and the speed has gone up,” Graham said.
He added that in neighborhoods, people can see tire marks in circles on the pavement where drivers have done donuts.
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Street racing is an issue that stretches beyond Winter Garden.
News 6 spoke with a Windermere resident, Kat Thomas, who captured video of cars racing through her neighborhood.
She also shared video of a fire hydrant knocked over with tire marks next to it on the sidewalk.
Earlier this month, deputies also reported that a fire truck had been trapped in place after a driver began “recklessly” circling it.
Chief Graham said the additionally officers should help combat issues like that.
He said they’ve actually had their tactical unit doing surveillance in a specific area of Winter Garden where they’ve seen that kind of activity.
Troopers with Florida Highway Patrol also announced in February that they’ve seen an uptick in street racing across the state.
Trooper Channing Taylor said reckless driving is considered criminal.
“The price is too high. Racing is for a racetrack,” Taylor said. “In Florida, we’re not going to tolerate it.”
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About the Authors:
Lauren Cervantes
Lauren Cervantes was born and raised in the Midwest but calls Florida her second home. She joined News 6 in August 2019 as a reporter.
Treasure Roberts
Treasure joined News 6 at the start of 2021, coming to the Sunshine State from Michigan.
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