Dodge County funding board denies Horicon speed-trailer request, approves $2,000 for 5 Stones and authorizes traffic-camera proposal

The Dodge County Crime Prevention Funding Board met and on a voice vote denied a Horicon Police Department grant request for a portable speed trailer, approved a $2,000 grant to 5 Stones of Dodge County for event advertising and voted to direct a board member to prepare a countywide traffic- and community-camera grant proposal for future consideration.

The board, which reported a current fund balance of $93,952.89, heard details about the Horicon request and staff answers about the device. Board members discussed that radar trailers typically record speeds and time-of-day data but do not capture video; several members questioned whether a mobile speed trailer would meet the board’s crime-prevention eligibility and raised concerns about opening the door to many similar requests from other municipalities.

Horicon’s application described the trailer as a data-collection tool to deter speeding and provide speed counts in targeted locations. Board members and staff said the device does not record video and therefore cannot be used to issue citations; one board member said the trailer primarily addresses speeding complaints and public awareness rather…