Pennsylvania State Police troopers could be wearing body cameras in the near future

Also, what can be done to make Intersatte 81 safer for motorists?

• Scott LaMar/WITF
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  Scott LaMar was formerly the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

Body cam, audio/video recording equipment on Police officer

The Pennsylvania State Police are three weeks into a pilot program for state troopers in Troop H, in Carlisle to wear body cameras.

The proposed plan is for troopers at all 87 patrol stations statewide to wear body cameras.

This is new for the state police but not in law enforcement where many local police officers have been wearing body cameras for years. Lt. Adam Reed, Director, Communications Office, Pennsylvania State Police said on Monday’s The Spark that cost if the reason state police have not implemented body cameras up until now. He added that $21 million has been budgeted over the next five years for the cameras and infrastructure.

Reed indicated the pilot program in Carlisle is expected to last from 60 to 90 days. After that, some 4,700 troopers may be using the body cameras for investigations, training or in the case when a citizen makes a complaint against police.

On another topic, nine people were killed in three separate crashes on Interstate 81 last week. Accidents on I-81 occur on a daily basis. Lt. was asked why there are so many,”A lot of it has to do with sheer volume on that roadway. Anyone that has traveled or travels that on a regular basis could really attest to just the volume of traffic that seems to be there at all hours of the day.”

Reed said most of the crashes are due to speed or motorists driving too fast for conditions.

I-81 has a lot of truck traffic which adds to the volume, but Reed said drivers just have to be careful when they’re on the road,”If you travel those interstates here in the area on a regular basis, be mindful of trucks. Don’t make sudden lane changes and be sure that the driver could see you if you’re changing lanes. If you’re following the truck, increase your following distance behind the truck — certainly don’t tailgate because the driver of that tractor trailer probably can’t see you if you’re too close to that truck and certainly slow down. Also, it’s important, it seems like common sense, but common sense isn’t so common sometimes. Limit distractions, put down your cell phone, really focus at the task at hand.”