Zanesville PD implementing ‘zero tolerance’ policy with speed violations
May 23, 2019
As the amount of speeding complaints grow and the number of school days dwindle, the Zanesville Police Department is growing intolerable of traffic violations, specifically speeding.
“I have instructed our officers, my officers, that we are going to hammer down on tickets,” Zanesville Police Chief Tony Coury said.
As schools let out, a couple school resource officers will be assigned to specific areas around the city to patrol for multiple days at a time and take a “zero tolerance” approach when it comes to speeding drivers.
“We’re doing this to change behavior, not to punish one person,” Coury said.
In order to help change driving behavior, officers will be instructed to ticket speeding drivers rather than issue a warning.
Many calls to the department regarding speeding complaints have referenced areas including Maple Avenue, downtown Zanesville at Sixth and Seventh Streets, Taylor Street, Center Drive, Linden Avenue, Pine Street, Putnam Avenue and more.
While there are more troublesome areas than others, Coury said officers will be targeting various areas, including areas where families live. With children out of school and increasing their time outdoors, it’s even more of a concern that drivers are following speed limits.
Coury said many children that live on streets with 25 mph zones are able to gauge a car that is traveling at 25 mph when crossing the street, but any speeds greater than the limit puts others at risk.
In the future, Coury said he would like to implement a traffic unit within his department. But, for now, with extra man power over the summer due to SROs, extra traffic patrolling is feasible.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol also assists ZPD at times to enforce traffic violations.
The department will not be announcing the dates and locations of targeted patrolling.
Coury emphasized that the initiative is an effort to keep residents and community members, especially children, safe.
Brent Krause • May 27, 2019 at 5:56 pm
What I get from this is the city is strapped for cash and needs a quick way to help fill the coffers.
R brown • May 26, 2019 at 5:34 pm
I am New to zanesville. Could be a few years now.. bad drivers understatement !
Some of the worst in the country.
Red lights. running cation lights
Speeding excessive lane changes.
Agresive drivers, road rage.
If your in uniform in a marked vehicle
Your in traffic patrol.
Rick • May 25, 2019 at 7:20 pm
There is a lot of traffic on Moxahala Ave. because they use it for a cut through and they believe it is a speedway. Has always been an issue, way worse now since Wayne Ave. southbound closed. We even get semi trucks flying on this street that is clearly posted no through semis and Fed Ex has always traveled it.
Matt • May 24, 2019 at 7:06 pm
I’m with Daniel…. Most of the time officers are just as guilty of breaking all of the laws they are sworn to uphold!
How about targeting all of the laws that they rarely enforce, and stop texting and driving, running red traffic lights, and speeding themselves (because living on the north end now I see them all breaking laws daily!)
Everyday I see texting and driving, everyday I see people running red lights, and everyday I see Zanesville Cops doing the same, and watching some of it go on in front of them, yet doing nothing about it!
Marquita Nelson • May 24, 2019 at 6:21 pm
How about patrolling Eastman maybe you can catch people going up the wrong way it happens everyday all day long
Amber Mcconiha • May 24, 2019 at 4:02 pm
I believe need more patrol on Eppley Ave its 25mph and people speed down it like they are participating in the datota 500
Jackie wiseman • May 24, 2019 at 2:27 pm
It’s very bad on schaum Avenue I’ve seen doors knocked off cars kids don’t stand a chance I’ve lived here 19 years and have seen many people drive like crazy on this street. Thank you!!
Daniel • May 24, 2019 at 1:54 pm
As a civilian I will be having my own zero tolerance for police officers who don’t use blinkers and run stop signs who use cell phones while driving and sleeping on the job … other than that keep up the half ass policing
Charlotte • May 24, 2019 at 10:45 am
Need to crack down on ppl not going as fast as the speed limit. Traffic is bad enough without them obstructing it. Doing 20 in a 35. That is ridiculous.
Tessa • May 24, 2019 at 5:26 am
The cops need to prole meat st there is alot of kids in this area down by clover st we hear and see ppl going over 25 it should be 15 with all the kids ppl just dont care there are bikers n ppl going aleast 35/40 i cant even back out on the road with having to think someone gonna hit my suv because how fast there going ..
Dianna Fowlkes • May 24, 2019 at 4:21 am
Once Driver’s get on Dresden from Maple, they go rocketing down the street going way over the speed limit yet there is no police presence on Dresden at all. I worry about my boys getting hit by a speeding car/truck. Keep an eye on Dresden Road please.
Keane Toney • May 23, 2019 at 11:32 pm
Our children are out of school. Please slow down and keep them safe.The Zanesville Police Department will be out ticketing speed and other moving violations to reinforce good, safe driving habits.
Slow down, don’t text and drive, don’t drink and drive. Do your part, drive smart.
Thank you.