Wrentham Police Chief Addresses Speeding Complaints

WRENTHAM, MA — Wrentham Police Chief understands there are complaints that increased development and traffic in the town has resulted in more speeding through residential neighborhoods. He wants Wrentham residents to know what can be done about it, and why more isn't always being done.

Chief McGrath said staffing is often prohibitive from having officers dedicated to speed traps and patrols in specific neighborhoods, and said residents can report license plates of speeders and the department will attempt to contact the drivers to remind them the importance of following the town's traffic laws.

"We constantly, every day, receive complaints about speeding cars and trucks zipping through neighborhoods, cut-through streets and main streets," Chief McGrath posted on the department's social media account. "Because we are understaffed, three officers on days and (evenings), two on (overnights starting at midnight), it’s impossible to give any one street or neighborhood regular attention. What we do instead is conduct random traffic enforcement throughout the town every day and night.

"We attempt to address every area, but that only happens in between responding to 911 and other calls. Unfortunately, dispatched calls take up most of our time, leaving little time left for traffic enforcement."

Chief McGrath said there is no designated traffic officer in town and that staffing has remained roughly the same over the past two decades while congestion and development has sharply risen.

"We love the boom, but our numbers haven't boomed in kind," Chief McGrath wrote. "By acceptable standards and studies, we should have upwards of 30 officers."

McGrath said the town is attempting to secure more funds to maintain the two electronic speeding signs it has, and acquire more, as they are effective.

"We also encourage people to report speeders, get a plate number if you can," Chief McGrath wrote. "We will track them down through their plate number and make a courtesy call reminding them to obey the speed limits. That's also effective."

McGrath concluded: "Having explained all this, rest assured, we will do our best to conduct traffic
enforcement as much as possible, everywhere possible. I hope this gives everyone a little more insight and perspective to understand how and why we operate the way we do."