Centerville police step up commercial truck inspections, report new k9 and camera update

Centerville’s police department reported on February enforcement activity and recent initiatives at the March 20 meeting, including expanded commercial motor vehicle (CMV) inspections, a newly certified second K‑9 team and an update on the town’s automated speed cameras.

The chief reported the department now fields two commercial‑vehicle inspectors (one assigned to each patrol group) and said that inspectors had removed roughly a dozen commercial vehicles from road service during local inspections because of safety violations. The inspections aim both to enforce safety standards and to reduce heavy truck traffic that, the chief said, diverts off Route 301 through town and causes roadway damage and safety concerns for residential streets.

The department also certified a second K‑9 and noted that narcotics‑detection and search activity is expected to increase as the second dog enters service. On the automated‑enforcement program, the chief said the red‑speed camera that was struck in a hit‑and‑run was in the vendor’s possession for repair; two other cameras remained in operation and the department will work with the vendor to restore the damaged unit.

The chief described broader enforcement and outreach efforts, including supplemental patrols around school pick‑up and drop‑off times and collaborative meetings with the school system to discuss traffic complaints. The department said it will continue targeted enforcement and educational efforts near schools and in neighborhoods most affected by truck traffic.

Ending: The council thanked the department for the report and asked staff to keep tracking CMV diversion and camera restoration progress.