Keizer police officials are reminding drivers not to attempt to take advantage of reduced traffic on the streets of Keizer.
The warning comes after Sgt. David LeDay, leader of the Keizer Police Department (KPD) traffic unit, clocked a driver on River Road North traveling at 99 miles per hour Monday, April 27.
“There are recurring reports of increasingly bold and bad drivers taking advantage of reduced traffic on the roadways. While being sensitive to the economic impact of the shutdown, Keizer police officers have continued to tend to traffic safety, enforcing traffic laws, usually with warnings,” said Lt. Bob Trump, of KPD.
In addition to bolder action on the part of drivers, Keizer police have seen an increase in the number of attempts to elude police officers even in broad daylight.
On Wednesday, April 29, Officer Martin Powell initiated a traffic stop to issue a seat belt warning near the intersection of River Road North and Sam Orcutt Drive N.E. The driver fled on foot. Police were able to establish a perimeter and the suspect was found hiding out near the Willamette River by a Salem Police Department K9 officer. The driver was taken into custody about 25 minutes after the incident began.