Scarecrow cops, right, will soon hit the streets of Lloydminster in an effort to deter speeders. (supplied photo/Coquitlam RCMP)

By Tyler Marr

Const. Scarecrow

Lloydminster introducing ‘scarecrow’ cops to deter speeders

May 7, 2019 | 1:34 PM

While they aren’t much for conversation, some new recruits at the City of Lloydminster have proven to be top performers elsewhere.

Known as traffic scarecrows, the Border City will roll out decoy officers in the coming months in an effort to deter would-be speeders.

The life-sized metal cutouts depict uniformed RCMP officers holding radar guns. The scarecrow program started in Coquitlam, B.C., in mid-2018 and yielded success. Less than six months into the pilot project, RCMP reported a 50 per cent reduction in drivers exceeding the speed limit by 10 km/h.

Lloydminster’s Senior Manager of Public Safety Glenn Alford said they hope to see similar results with their own contingent of two-dimensional employees.

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“We want to improve traffic safety wherever we can, particularly in the areas where there are vulnerable populations; school and playground zones,” he said. “If you slow down anyone, particularly in those playground and school zones, that is success.”

The city has ordered four cutouts at around $325 a piece. Because of the low cost, should the program prove effective, Alford said it is a win-win for both taxpayers and residents.

He said the Coquitlam RCMP are receiving requests to have Const. Scarecrow on their street as opposed to a real officer due to their effectiveness.

“It has been embraced by everybody that has seem them,” Alford added.

Asked if he worried people will begin to ignore the manufactured Mounties over time, Alford said, while it will ultimately be up to the RCMP, he can foresee actual traffic enforcement officers setup alongside their cutout colleagues.

“Anything that we can do to try and improve traffic safety is always going to be a positive thing,” he said.

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tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr