Ask an Official
This week’s featured question is asked of Wisconsin State Patrol North Central Region Executive Officer Lieutenant Richard Reichenberger.
The question reads: “Does Wisconsin use helicopters to monitor disorderly drivers, speeders and so on like other state patrols do? How does that work anyway? Do they use laser radars like officers on the ground or is there another way they use?
Answer as given by Reichenberger:
“Wisconsin does not use helicopters to track speeders. We use airplanes. How this works is the pilot uses a device called VASCAR. This has been around for many decades and is one of the most accurate ways to obtain a vehicle’s speed or following distance. What the pilot does is he has a known distance in which he is monitoring cars. This known distance is entered into the computer and as the vehicle crosses into this known area, the time it takes the vehicle to travel through the distance is entered into the computer and it gives the average speed of the vehicle. Math-wise it is a simple equation for the computer: Speed = (Distance divided by Time) x 3600.
“The number 3600 comes from how many seconds there are in 1 hour. The time is entered through a toggle switch that is turned on and off by the pilot, while he is watching the vehicle. This eliminates any mistaken identity of the vehicle. Once the pilot has the speed, he radios down to a waiting trooper, guides the trooper behind the correct vehicle and ensures the correct vehicle is stopped. If there is any doubt by either the pilot or the trooper, the vehicle is not stopped and they turn around for the next one. Unfortunately the next speeder always seems to come along very soon. Most times we can keep 5 troopers constantly busy with speed and aggressive driving stops, especially on heavy travel days.”
Do you have a question or concern you would like to address with a local official? If so, simply email your question or concern to [email protected]. Currently, ten city, county and state officials participate in the Ask an Official feature. Participating officials are as follows: Merrill City Administrator Dave Johnson, Merrill Common Council President Rob Norton, Merrill Fire Chief Josh Klug, Merrill Police Chief Corey Bennett, Merrill Area Public Schools Superintendent Dr. John Sample, Lincoln County Administrative Coordinator Jason Hake, Lincoln County Forestry, Land and Parks Director Kevin Kleinschmidt, Tomahawk Police Chief Al Elvins, Wisconsin DNR Conservation Warden Curt Butler and Wisconsin State Patrol Lieutenant Richard Reichenberger. Please Note: Those who choose to submit a question or concern will remain anonymous.